Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI on obstruction charges related to an immigration case. The arrest has stirred political reactions and raised debates about judicial independence and immigration enforcement, days after the incident occurred in her courtroom.
FBI Arrests Wisconsin Judge Over Alleged Obstruction in Immigration Case
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI on Friday for allegedly interfering in an immigration enforcement operation. According to FBI Director Kash Patel, Judge Dugan is accused of obstructing the arrest of an undocumented individual, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, who appeared in her courtroom.
Allegations of Misleading Federal Agents
The FBI claims that Judge Dugan deliberately misdirected federal agents, preventing them from detaining Flores Ruiz during court proceedings. FBI Director Patel stated, “We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse.”
Legal Process and Public Response
Judge Dugan briefly appeared in federal court on Friday and was released from custody. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, criticized the arrest, saying it was “not made in the interest of public safety” and that Judge Dugan “wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest.” The Associated Press confirmed her court appearance and release.
Incident Timeline and Investigation Background
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had previously reported that federal authorities were investigating whether Dugan had assisted an undocumented individual during an ICE operation at the courthouse on April 18. Chief Judge Carl Ashley acknowledged that ICE agents had entered the courthouse with an arrest warrant but made no mention of Dugan or an FBI probe in an internal memo.
Immigration Enforcement Under the Spotlight
The arrest comes amid heightened immigration enforcement activity under the Trump administration and has sparked renewed attention on the role of local courts in federal immigration matters. The suspect, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, is now in FBI custody, according to Patel.
Divided Political Reaction in Congress
The arrest has provoked sharp responses from lawmakers. Democratic members of Congress see it as a troubling escalation in federal overreach, expressing concerns over judicial independence. Some Republican lawmakers, on the other hand, have praised the arrest, viewing it as a firm stance on immigration law enforcement.
Broader Legal Implications
The U.S. District Court filing charges Dugan with obstructing or impeding a federal procedure and concealing an individual to prevent discovery or arrest. Legal experts note that this case could set a precedent for how far local judges can go in immigration-related situations without violating federal laws.
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