12/20/2025
A jury has convicted Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan of obstructing federal immigration agents who were attempting to execute a lawful warrant inside a courthouse. The verdict follows an incident in April in which Dugan was accused of deliberately interfering with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
According to prosecutors, Judge Dugan learned that ICE agents were in the building to arrest an undocumented immigrant. Rather than allowing the arrest to proceed, she allegedly helped the individual and his attorney leave through a back exit, enabling them to avoid federal custody. Her actions led to her arrest and subsequent obstruction charges.
Supporters of the verdict say the ruling reinforces a core principle of the justice system: no one is above the law, including judges. They argue that members of the judiciary are obligated to uphold legal processes, not undermine them, regardless of personal views on immigration.
The case has sparked renewed debate over immigration enforcement in courthouses, judicial accountability, and the limits of discretion for public officials. As the legal process continues, the conviction stands as a high-profile example of how actions taken inside the courtroom can carry serious consequences.