A Milwaukee judge has been accused of helping the man avoid immigration authorities. This became a well-known conflict between the Trump administration and the judiciary over the Republican administration’s immigration policy.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested Friday.
According to the FBI affidavit, FBI director Kash Patel announced the move via social media, requiring Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyers to leave the ju judge’s door on April 18, with Dugan announced “an increase in danger to the public.”
Flores Lewis, a native of Mexico, was in court on battery charge.
Here’s what we know about the case so far:
Who is Dugan?
Dugan has been a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge since the 2016 election. She was previously a litigation lawyer and held administrative positions in Wisconsin legal action and legal action by the Legal Aid Association.
She also teaches law and graduate students at Marquette University.
Dugan was president of the Milwaukee Bar Association from 1999 to 2000, and at one point worked for a Catholic charity in southeast Wisconsin.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981 and received her Juris Doctorate from the school in 1987.
Why is she being blamed?
The FBI took Dugan into custody on Courthouse property Friday. Federal immigration agents from the same building came in last week seeking Flores Lewis.
Flores Lewis had been removed through Arizona more than a decade ago, according to the affidavit.
The fingerprint match led us to immigrants and customs enforcement officers to go to Milwaukee courtrooms and wait outside Dugan’s courtroom during his appearance.
According to the affidavit, Dugan became “visibly angry” after learning that the agent was there. She and another judge approached members of the arrest team in the court hallway and sent them to the Supreme Court’s office. Dugan then returned to court and directed Flores Lewis and his lawyer to the ju court door, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit is argued only by detained representatives, ju appellants, court staff and defendants who are not detained will not use the ju appellants.
Flores Lewis reportedly used the elevator to help him get out of the building. Nevertheless, the agents spot him and after chasing his foot, they arrested him outside.
What does the judge say about the complaint?
Criminal defense firm Mastantuono Coffee & Thomas SC issued a statement on behalf of Dugan, holding former US lawyer Steven Biskupic to represent her, saying he “affirms himself and looks forward to exoneration.”
Dugan “before he left himself with the rule of law and the principles of legitimate proceedings throughout his career as a lawyer and judge,” the statement said.
Biskupic was appointed US lawyer for the Eastern District of Wisconsin in 2002 by former President George W. Bush and served until 2009.
Democrat Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said the arrest was “clearly about hype, rather than keeping our community safe.”
“I hope the Trump administration will focus too much on payment scores with potential enemies and focus their attention on what’s really important,” Johnson said.
Former US Congressman and mayor of Milwaukee, Tom Barrett, has been Milwaukee mayor for 17 years and said he has been friends with Dugan’s sister in high school and has known Dugan since he was 12 years old. He has not spoken to her about the arrest.
Barrett said Dugan is “very professional and caring about the community very deeply,” and “committed to justice and fairness.”
“As a person and a judge, she is always trying to do the right thing and caring deeply about the community, people and justice,” Barrett said.
What happens next?
Dugan has a trial as a defendant rather than as a prosecutor or judge. She is scheduled to return to court on May 15th.
Dozens of people gathered outside the courthouse on Friday to protest.
“Judge Dugan will be free. There will be no justice or peace,” he recited.
The judge’s arrest, they said, could discourage people from reporting crimes, for fear of arrest.
“We’re excited to be able to help you get the most out of our lives,” said Melinda Brennan, executive director of Wisconsin ACLU.
Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Brian Simming said in a social media message that Dugan’s arrest was “not beyond the law, even a judge.”
“She was intentionally violating the law. If Democrats want to defend it, they don’t hear the public,” he said.
Associated Press reporter Scott Bauer was contributed to the report by Milwaukee’s Scott Bauer and Detroit’s Corey Williams.
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