The Wisconsin Supreme Court has temporarily relieved Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan of her official duties after serious allegations surfaced last week. An administrative order, issued Tuesday, states that Dugan will be off the bench until further notice.
The controversy began Friday when Judge Dugan was arrested by the FBI. She’s facing charges for allegedly helping a previously deported Mexican national avoid capture by federal immigration authorities. According to a criminal complaint, Dugan reportedly sheltered the man—Eduardo Flores-Ruiz—inside a secure area of the courthouse after his hearing, preventing ICE agents from detaining him.
Dugan is charged with obstructing a federal investigation and with harboring an undocumented immigrant—both serious offenses that could carry major legal consequences. She is scheduled to appear in federal court on May 15.
The Wisconsin court system confirmed that Dugan won’t be returning to her duties this week and that other judges will handle her caseload in the meantime.
According to reports, ICE and other federal agencies were waiting to detain Flores-Ruiz after he appeared in Dugan’s courtroom for misdemeanor battery charges. Instead, Dugan allegedly instructed court staff to escort him through a private jury exit, bypassing ICE agents stationed in the public hallway.
While Dugan remained silent during her first federal court appearance, her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, strongly denied the claims. “Judge Dugan deeply regrets the situation and disputes the manner of her arrest, which she believes wasn’t necessary for public safety,” he said. Dugan has publicly pushed back against the accusations, saying media reports are riddled with misinformation.
Still, the case has sparked fierce debate. Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized Dugan on Fox News, calling her actions “unacceptable” and “disgraceful,” particularly since the case involved domestic violence allegations. “She prioritized the defendant over the victims,” Bondi said.
The fallout has extended beyond Dugan herself. Another Wisconsin judge, Monica Isham, announced she would stop hearing cases for now, citing concern over the pressure judges might face to take similar risks. “I won’t allow ICE to pull someone from my courtroom without due process,” Isham said. “It’s gone too far.”
As the case unfolds, it’s raising tough questions about the roles of judges, immigration enforcement, and the balance between law and conscience in today’s political climate.