A Milwaukee County Judge, Hannah Dugan, has been detained by FBI agents on obstruction charges after reportedly thwarting a federal immigration arrest. The incident, which occurred at the Milwaukee County courthouse, involved Eduardo Flores Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Last week, ICE arrived with a valid federal warrant for Ruiz's apprehension, only to be told to hold off until the conclusion of Dugan's court session.
Following the hearing, Judge Dugan is accused of surreptitiously escorting Ruiz through a non-public exit, effectively circumventing the ICE agents on site. FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest via social media, emphasizing the public safety risk posed by Dugan's actions. Although Patel's post was subsequently removed, the content was reported by The New York Post before its deletion.
Court records indicate that Ruiz, cognizant of the arrest warrant, had attempted to flee the courthouse. Despite Dugan's alleged intervention, federal agents succeeded in capturing Ruiz near the courthouse. He is currently detained at the Dodge Detention Facility in Juneau, Wisconsin.
The episode has heightened awareness of the strained relationship between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement. Critics of Dugan's alleged conduct perceive it as a form of resistance against federal jurisdiction, particularly in deportation scenarios. Conversely, federal officials argue that such acts by a judge contravene their legal responsibilities and hamper lawful immigration procedures.
Judge Dugan, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1986, has not publicly addressed the charges. Chief Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Carl Ashley corroborated the presence of ICE agents and their compliance with the directive to postpone action until the hearing's end. Nevertheless, Dugan is said to have helped Ruiz escape shortly thereafter.
This incident underscores the ongoing dialogue regarding local opposition to federal immigration enforcement and the judiciary's role in immigration matters. As the case garners attention, it amplifies discussions concerning the balance of legal authority, immigration policy, and the potential repercussions that extend well beyond this individual occurrence.
As the investigation unfolds, more information is anticipated to clarify the extent of Judge Dugan's involvement and the legal ramifications that may ensue. This case could set a precedent that influences how local courts and judges manage immigration enforcement in the future.
