Wisconsin Supreme Court Cracks Down On Judge Over Illegal Immigration Incident

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan has been “temporarily relieved” of her duties by the Wisconsin Supreme Court following her arrest on federal charges of obstructing immigration enforcement.

According to NBC News, the order prevents her from performing her duties while the federal charges are adjudicated:

The court, which said it was acting on its own and not in response to a request from anyone, said the order was intended to protect public confidence in Wisconsin courts. 

A criminal complaint shows Dugan was charged with obstructing or impeding a proceeding before a department or agency of the United States, a felony, and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest, a misdemeanor.

She could face a maximum prison sentence of six years.

The charges stem from an April 18 incident at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents attempted to detain Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a previously deported illegal immigrant scheduled to appear before Dugan on domestic violence-related battery charges.

According to an FBI affidavit, Judge Dugan reacted angrily when informed of ICE’s presence and questioned the legitimacy of the agents’ administrative warrant. She then directed the agents to speak with Chief Judge Carl Ashley. Shortly after, she allegedly instructed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit through a restricted jury door, bypassing agents positioned in the public area. Flores-Ruiz was later captured outside the courthouse after a brief chase.

Federal authorities arrested Dugan on April 25. She now faces charges of obstructing a federal proceeding and concealing a person from arrest. To lead her defense, Dugan has retained a high-powered legal team that includes former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement — who has argued more than 100 cases before the Supreme Court and was on President Trump’s shortlist for the high court during his first term — and former U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic, who was appointed by President George W. Bush to lead the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Her legal team criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend her, claiming it was made without a formal referral from the Wisconsin Judicial Commission.

The case has sparked a wave of public and judicial response. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the allegations are serious and reinforced that “no one is above the law.” Critics say Dugan’s alleged actions undermine federal authority and weaken public trust in the judiciary.

Supporters argue that Dugan was defending constitutional process by challenging the validity of ICE’s administrative warrant. Among the most vocal is Sawyer County Circuit Court Judge Monica Isham, who emailed fellow Wisconsin judges to warn that she would not permit ICE removals from her courtroom without full legal proceedings. “If this costs me my job or gets me arrested, then at least I know I did the right thing,” she wrote.

Judge Dugan is scheduled to appear in federal court on May 15. In the meantime, her caseload is being reassigned to ensure continued court operations in Milwaukee County.

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