MADISON, Wis. — The trial for Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan commenced on Monday as federal prosecutors laid out their case against her for allegedly helping a Mexican immigrant evade federal authorities. Dugan faces serious charges of obstruction and concealment, with potential prison time of up to six years if convicted.
Dugan’s legal troubles stem from a case involving 31-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who had re-entered the U.S. illegally and was charged with battery in Milwaukee. Judge Dugan was presiding over a hearing for Flores-Ruiz when immigration officials attempted to arrest him. It’s alleged that she instructed court staff to delay the arrest and later led Flores-Ruiz out through a back exit, directly defying immigration agents.
The trial quickly transformed into a political battleground as the Trump administration labeled Dugan an activist judge amidst scrutiny over its hardline immigration policies. Critics, including Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, have called for her to be locked up, claiming her actions undermine judicial integrity amidst efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.
Throughout the trial, which is expected to last several days, Dugan's defense maintains her actions were not meant to obstruct justice but rather to follow new courthouse protocols regarding immigration arrests that were meant to prevent chaos in the judicial system. This case has sparked significant debate on the roles and limitations of judges, particularly regarding federal immigration laws.
As the trial unfolds, observers are keenly watching its implications for judicial independence and the balance of power between federal authorities and state courts, especially in a tumultuous political climate.
