The judge of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Hannah Dugan, was arrested and is facing federal charges for allegedly helping a man evade arrest by immigration agents in the county courthouse last week.
Dugan was arrested this Friday at 8:30 a.m. in the very courthouse where she serves, facing charges of obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent their arrest. The judge appeared that same day before a federal court.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) attended court on April 18 to execute an administrative arrest warrant against Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who faced charges of misdemeanor assault.
During the hearing, Dugan, visibly upset, described the situation as "absurd" and allegedly facilitated the exit of Flores-Ruiz through a door reserved for the jury, thereby preventing his arrest in the courtroom.
After leaving the building, Flores-Ruiz was pursued on foot and ultimately arrested at a nearby intersection.
The FBI director, Kash Patel, announced Dugan's arrest in a now-deleted social media post, where he accused the judge of endangering public safety by obstructing the arrest operation.
The Attorney General of the United States, Pam Bondi, confirmed the arrest, asserting that "no one is above the law."
The Executive of Milwaukee County, David Crowley, emphasized that Dugan is entitled to due process, while Democratic representative Gwen Moore described the action as a possible "overreach" by federal authorities.
The arrest of Dugan takes place within the framework of a policy by the Department of Justice to criminally prosecute local officials who interfere with immigration operations. This is one of the measures that are part of the new immigration policy of Donald Trump.
Hannah Dugan was elected judge in 2016. She has a long history of working with vulnerable communities, including her leadership of the local office of Catholic Charities and her time at the Milwaukee Legal Aid Society.
Transcription in Spanish of the statement by Attorney General Pam Bondi, related to the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan and other cases of obstruction of justice in the United States:
No one is above the law in Milwaukee. An illegal immigrant from Mexico appeared in court, facing trial for domestic violence. He was accused of violently assaulting a man, hitting him in the face 30 times, choking him, and then attacking a woman, striking her in the face with his fist. Both victims had the courage to come forward in court.
Judge Hannah Dugan learned that ICE was outside to arrest him after the trial. She is now accused of obstruction of justice for secretly assisting this defendant. An illegal immigrant exited through a back door, through her chambers, to avoid arrest, leaving the victims and prosecutors sitting in court all morning, waiting for justice.
In New Mexico, the police received information that Judge Joel Cano had a TDA member living in his home. The judge and his wife allegedly provided access to assault rifles, one of which had a suppressor, and they went to a shooting range to improve their skills.
The police found a suspect and discovered photos on his cell phone and social media, showcasing multiple tattoos and gang insignia. They also found a photograph of him with the judge. The suspect had indicated a reward of $5,000 for capturing members of TDA, and images of two victims who had been decapitated were found, with their hands severed and their bodies mutilated.
The judge is now accused of obstruction. After receiving the Miranda warning, he admitted to having smashed a phone with a hammer and then taking it to a city dumpster to dispose of evidence.
The Trump administration will fight for the victims. The law is very simple: no matter what job you’re in, if you break the law, we will follow the facts and prosecute you.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Case of Judge Hannah Dugan and ICE Policies in the U.S.
Why was Judge Hannah Dugan arrested?
Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested for allegedly assisting an immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, in evading his detention by immigration agents during a hearing in Milwaukee County court. She is accused of obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent their detention.
What implications does the case of Hannah Dugan have for U.S. immigration policy?
The case of Hannah Dugan falls within a broader policy of the Department of Justice to criminally prosecute local officials who interfere with immigration operations. This reflects a stricter immigration policy adopted by the Trump administration, which seeks to reinforce the enforcement of immigration laws and ensure that local authorities do not hinder federal operations.
How is Donald Trump's immigration policy affecting local communities in the United States?
Donald Trump's immigration policies have intensified raids and operations to detain undocumented immigrants, generating fear and concern in local communities. In cities like Chicago and Miami, these actions have impacted the local economy and created a climate of uncertainty among immigrants, who fear being detained and deported, even in places previously considered safe, such as schools and churches.
What measures are being taken at the local level to protect the rights of immigrants in the U.S.?
Locally, some cities have implemented policies to protect the rights of immigrants. For example, in Boston, a judge held an ICE agent in contempt for violating an immigrant's due process rights. Additionally, some cities have chosen not to cooperate with ICE in their operations, and human rights advocacy organizations continue to push for fair and legal treatment for immigrants.
Filed under: