Wisconsin Supreme Court Suspends Judge Accused of Aiding Illegal Alien to Evade ICE

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has temporarily suspended Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan.

Judge Dugan is facing accusations of aiding an illegal immigrant in avoiding arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

She is currently charged with two federal felonies: obstruction of justice and concealing a person from authorities. Her arrest occurred Friday at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.

In a brief two-page decision, the state’s high court emphasized its intention to maintain public trust in the judicial system while Dugan's criminal case is ongoing.

“It is ordered … that Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah C. Dugan is temporarily prohibited from exercising the powers of a circuit court judge in the state of Wisconsin, effective the date of this order and until further order of the court,” the ruling stated.

According to the Associated Press, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has a 4-3 liberal majority.

Attorney Pam Bondi addressed the situation on Friday, sharing additional insights into the judge’s arrest earlier that day.

The individual Dugan is accused of assisting is a 30-year-old Mexican national named Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who appeared before her bench on April 18 for a pre-trial hearing.

Bondi explained that Flores-Ruiz was facing criminal charges for allegedly assaulting a man and a woman so severely that both required hospitalization.

Upon learning that ICE agents were stationed outside the courtroom, ready to take Flores-Ruiz into custody, Dugan allegedly approached the agents.

“The judge screams at the immigration officers. She’s furious. Visibly shaken. Upset. Sends them off to talk to the chief judge,” Bondi recounted.

“She comes back in the courtroom — you’re not going to believe this — takes the defendant and the defense attorney back in her chambers. Takes them out a private exit and tells them to leave, while a state prosecutor and victims of domestic violence [in Flores’ case] are sitting in the courtroom,” she continued.

ICE agents reportedly pursued Flores-Ruiz on foot outside the courthouse and ultimately apprehended him.

Bondi noted that when she and others at the Justice Department first learned about the incident, “We could not believe that a judge really did that.” After further investigation, they opted to proceed with charges against Dugan.

“You cannot obstruct a criminal case, and really, shame on her,” Bondi concluded. “It was a domestic violence case, of all cases, and she’s protecting a criminal defendant over victims of crime.”