FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan for allegedly hindering the arrest of a Mexican citizen by ICE agents. The arrest was announced on X (formerly Twitter) by FBI Director Kash Patel, who accused Dugan of intentionally misleading federal agents. After the hearing, Judge Dugan allegedly directed ICE agents to another judge's office, allowing the individual to leave the courthouse through a side exit and into a public area.
This is the first known instance of the Department of Justice arresting a local judge for interfering with immigration law enforcement since Trump's return to the White House. The Trump administration has pledged to investigate and prosecute local officials who do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The Justice Department issued a memo in January directing prosecutors to investigate potential criminal charges against state and local officials who obstruct federal immigration enforcement.
The arrest comes amid a growing dispute between the Trump administration and judges over immigration control policies. The case highlights instances where immigration agents attempt to detain undocumented immigrants who appear in state courts for other matters. Judge Dugan, elected in 2016, has prior experience working in civil and probate divisions of the court.
The incident represents a significant escalation in the conflict between the Trump administration and the judiciary concerning immigration policy. The arrest of a local judge for allegedly obstructing an immigration enforcement operation underscores the heightened tensions and differing legal interpretations surrounding immigration matters.