Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan now faces up to six years in prison after being caught red-handed helping an illegal immigrant escape from ICE agents through her courtroom’s back door, betraying her oath to uphold the law in a shocking display of judicial activism.
Key Takeaways
- Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan has been indicted on charges of obstruction of justice and concealing a Mexican national from federal law enforcement.
- Dugan allegedly escorted illegal immigrant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer out through a courtroom back door to help him evade ICE agents waiting to detain him.
- Flores-Ruiz had illegally re-entered the United States after being deported in 2013 and was eventually apprehended after a foot chase outside the courthouse.
- If convicted on both counts, Dugan could face up to six years in federal prison for her actions.
- The Wisconsin Supreme Court has suspended Dugan from her judicial duties following her arrest by FBI agents at the courthouse on April 25.
Activist Judge Caught Aiding Illegal Immigrant
The indictment of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan marks a significant blow against those in positions of power who willfully obstruct our nation’s immigration laws. According to federal prosecutors, Dugan deliberately helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national who had illegally re-entered the United States after being deported in 2013, escape from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who were waiting to take him into custody at the courthouse. This blatant obstruction occurred despite Dugan’s sworn duty to uphold the law, not subvert it for personal political beliefs.
Court documents reveal that Dugan displayed a “confrontational, angry demeanor” toward ICE agents who were lawfully present in her courtroom to detain Flores-Ruiz. When the agents identified themselves, instead of respecting their authority, Dugan instructed them to speak to the chief justice and then proceeded to escort the illegal immigrant and his attorney through a back door of her courtroom. This deliberate action to help Flores-Ruiz evade federal authorities constitutes a serious breach of judicial ethics and potentially criminal behavior.
Illegal Immigrant Caught Despite Judge’s Intervention
Despite Judge Dugan’s interference, ICE agents eventually apprehended Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse after a foot chase. This incident demonstrates the persistent challenges our immigration enforcement officers face, not only from illegal immigrants themselves but from officials who should be supporting the rule of law. Flores-Ruiz is currently detained at the Dodge Detention Facility in Wisconsin, while Judge Dugan faces the consequences of her alleged actions after being arrested by FBI agents on April 25 at the courthouse.
“The problems with the prosecution are legion, but most immediately, the government cannot prosecute Judge Dugan because she is entitled to judicial immunity for her official acts,” the motion states. “Immunity is not a defense to the prosecution to be determined later by a jury or court; it is an absolute bar to the prosecution at the outset,” said a Motion filed by Dugan Al Jazeera.
Dugan’s legal team is attempting to hide behind judicial immunity, a principle designed to protect judges making legitimate legal decisions, not to shield them when they actively obstruct federal law enforcement. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has appropriately suspended Dugan to preserve public confidence in the judiciary. This suspension reflects the serious nature of the charges and acknowledges that judges must be held to the highest standards of conduct, especially when it comes to respecting federal immigration laws designed to protect American citizens.
Trump Administration’s Strong Immigration Enforcement
This case highlights President Trump’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and holding accountable those who obstruct justice. The President has consistently emphasized that no one is above the law, especially those sworn to uphold it. Former federal prosecutor John Vaudreuil, in a statement that inadvertently reveals the political nature of opposition to proper immigration enforcement, suggested that the Trump administration is making an example of Dugan due to strong feelings about immigration policy.
“People feel very strongly about the way the president and administration are conducting immigration policy,” said John Vaudreuil, a former federal prosecutor, Associated Press.
While Dugan’s defense team maintains she will be vindicated, claiming her innocence, the facts of the case paint a clear picture of judicial overreach and obstruction. This case serves as a powerful reminder that the rule of law must apply equally to everyone, regardless of position or political beliefs. The American people have repeatedly voiced their support for strong border security and proper immigration enforcement. Judge Dugan’s actions represent exactly the kind of activist obstruction that undermines our nation’s sovereignty and security.
