Milwaukee Judge Pleads Not Guilty to Immigration Charges
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan has pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging that she assisted an undocumented man in evading arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in her courthouse. Dugan entered her plea during a brief arraignment on Thursday, with a trial date set for July.
Charged with concealing an individual from arrest and obstruction, Dugan is accused of escorting Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who had previously been deported in 2013, out of her courtroom on April 18, just after becoming aware of ICE agents’ presence in the courthouse. If convicted, she faces up to six years in prison.
Dugan’s defense team, led by Steven Biskupic, argues that she acted within her official capacity as a judge, asserting her immunity from prosecution. They have filed a motion to dismiss the charges, claiming state sovereignty was violated when federal agents disrupted a state courtroom.
The case has sparked significant public outcry, with dozens of demonstrators gathering outside the courthouse. Protesters held signs condemning the charges and chanting for due process rights. Some labeled the situation as an overreach by the Department of Justice. Meanwhile, a lone individual carrying a Trump flag stood across the street.
According to court documents, Flores-Ruiz faced misdemeanor domestic abuse charges in March and was in Dugan’s courtroom for a hearing when the incident occurred. Following her dismissal from the bench, witnesses reported her raising concerns about the agents’ actions.
Dugan has been suspended by the state Supreme Court, which stated the suspension was necessary to uphold public confidence in the judiciary. The high-stakes political context surrounding the case has drawn attention, with legal experts suggesting that the situation reflects ongoing tensions between federal and state authorities regarding immigration enforcement.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
