Wisconsin judge found guilty of obstructing immigration enforcement
A Milwaukee judge is convicted of obstruction for guiding a Mexican detainee out of a courtroom side door during an immigration arrest, risking prison time.
In Wisconsin, a Milwaukee judge has been found guilty of obstructing a federal proceeding for helping a detainee evade immigration agents during an arrest at the courthouse. The verdict adds another chapter to the ongoing debate over how courts align with federal immigration enforcement.
A majority of the case focused on Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, who allegedly directed Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national with a misdemeanor battery case, to leave via a back exit while agents prepared to take him into custody under an immigration warrant.
The verdict and charges
A jury convicted Dugan on the obstruction count. She was acquitted on a related charge of concealing a person from arrest and now faces a potential prison term of up to five years at sentencing.
Key facts from the incident
On April 18, Flores-Ruiz appeared for a hearing as six federal officers from the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Drug Enforcement Administration were present. An FBI affidavit describes Dugan as visibly upset about the type of warrant and ordering officers to report to the chief judge. She then directed Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer to a private jury exit, intended for jurors, in an effort to facilitate their exit. The group was nonetheless intercepted by immigration agents, and Flores-Ruiz was later deported.
Dugan's counsel argued that she simply guided the detainee toward a hallway exit, not attempting to obstruct enforcement. They maintained the ruling does not reflect her true conduct and said they plan to pursue an appeal.
Responses
Prosecutors criticized the verdict as upholding the rule of law. Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the case shows no one is above the law and that federal enforcement protects public safety.
Expert assessment
Legal analysts say the decision reinforces the principle that judges must remain neutral during enforcement actions and that interfering with federal operations can carry serious penalties.
Summary
The case centers on the boundary between judicial discretion and federal immigration enforcement. The verdict underscores accountability for officials who appear to obstruct enforcement, with Flores-Ruiz subsequently deported. The outcome signals a firm stance on the separation of powers and public safety.
Key takeaway: A federal jury held a sitting judge accountable for obstructing federal immigration enforcement, reinforcing that public officials must follow the law. BBC News
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