A federal grand jury has indicted a judge in Wisconsin for allegedly helping an illegal immigrant avoid law enforcement. Judge Hannah Dugan, who serves on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, was arrested last month after authorities accused her of trying to assist a Mexican national, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, in evading immigration officials.
The indictment charges Dugan with concealing a person from arrest and obstructing proceedings. According to the complaint, law enforcement was waiting outside her courtroom for Flores-Ruiz when Dugan confronted them, appearing visibly upset and confrontational. Instead of allowing Flores-Ruiz to exit through the public door, she allegedly led him out through a nonpublic area of the courthouse.
Dugan’s legal team has stated that she has always upheld the law and is asserting her innocence. They plan to enter a plea on Thursday, as the Wisconsin Supreme Court has temporarily suspended her from her judicial duties while the case is ongoing.
The situation has drawn attention at the national level. The Trump administration has defended Dugan’s arrest, emphasizing that the law should apply equally to everyone. Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized Dugan’s actions, highlighting the case’s serious nature, which involved domestic violence.
As this case unfolds, it raises questions about the responsibilities of judges and the implications of their actions in relation to immigration laws.