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Wisconsin judge who shielded illegal migrant from ICE shares latest defense: ‘I am absolutely immune’

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Wisconsin judge who shielded illegal migrant from ICE shares latest defense: ‘I am absolutely immune’


A Wisconsin judge indicted for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade ICE is now claiming ‘absolute judicial immunity’ in a broader legal effort to dismiss all charges.

Hannah Dugan, 66, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, was arrested by FBI agents on April 25 for allegedly preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from detaining a man in her courtroom. 

The man, 31-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, was reportedly subject to a federal detainer at the time.

Federal prosecutors allege Dugan directed ICE officers to the chief judge’s office while allowing Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit through a door typically used by jurors. 

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The long-time judge was later indicted on May 13 on charges of obstructing a federal agency and aiding Flores-Ruiz’s escape. 

However, in a 37-page memorandum filed May 14, her attorneys argued the indictment is an ‘ugly innovation’ that threatens long-standing legal precedent.

They claim Dugan is protected by ‘absolute judicial immunity’ for actions taken as part of her official duties, even if those actions are later contested. 

‘Judges can be and are charged for actions wholly unrelated to their role, like taking bribes or kidnapping,’ the memo notes, adding that Dugan’s conduct occurred squarely within her judicial capacity.

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Hannah Dugan (pictured), 66, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, was arrested by FBI agents on April 25 for allegedly preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from detaining a man in her courtroom

The long-time judge was indicted on May 13 on charges of obstructing a federal agency and aiding 31-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz's escape. Pictured: Surveillance footage shows Hannah Dugan outside her courtroom on April 18, confronting federal agents who were there to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz

The long-time judge was indicted on May 13 on charges of obstructing a federal agency and aiding 31-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz’s escape. Pictured: Surveillance footage shows Hannah Dugan outside her courtroom on April 18, confronting federal agents who were there to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz

Her high-powered legal team, including attorney Dean Strang, warned the case could set a ‘dangerous precedent,’ undermining judicial independence. 

‘This is an extraordinary prosecution that poses a threat to federalism and judicial independence,’ the filing states. 

‘Dismissal here flows from a straightforward application of long-settled law. The indictment itself is an ugly innovation. Its dismissal will not be.’

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The filing continues: ‘Nothing in the Constitution allows the federal government to superintend the administration and case-by-case, daily functioning of state courts as this indictment proposes.’

This latest motion expands on an earlier filing with more detailed arguments about federal overreach and the constitutional role of judges. Dugan’s attorneys maintain she acted within her jurisdiction and broke no laws in declining to facilitate the detention.

The US Department of Justice, however, characterizes the incident as obstruction of federal law, triggering a contentious legal and political debate.

An amicus brief filed on Friday by 138 former state and federal judges supports Dugan, arguing she is entitled to ‘absolute immunity for her official acts.’ 

The brief compares this protection to that granted to members of the legislative and executive branches. 

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Dugan's high-powered legal team claims Dugan is protected by 'absolute judicial immunity' for actions taken as part of her official duties, even if those actions are later contested. Pictured: Dugan leaves after appearing in court in Milwaukee on May 15

Dugan’s high-powered legal team claims Dugan is protected by ‘absolute judicial immunity’ for actions taken as part of her official duties, even if those actions are later contested. Pictured: Dugan leaves after appearing in court in Milwaukee on May 15

Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 31, appeared in Dugan's court on April 18 for a status conference in a misdemeanor battery case. He is accused of repeatedly hitting and briefly strangling his roommate, and also striking two women who tried to intervene

Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 31, appeared in Dugan’s court on April 18 for a status conference in a misdemeanor battery case. He is accused of repeatedly hitting and briefly strangling his roommate, and also striking two women who tried to intervene

It calls the prosecution an ‘egregious overreach by the executive branch’ that ‘threatens public trust in the judicial system and the ability of the public to avail themselves of courthouses without fear of reprisal.’ 

But, the Justice Department maintains that no one – including judges – is above the law when it comes to obstructing federal immigration operations.

‘Since President Trump was inaugurated, activist judges have tried to obstruct President Trump and the American people’s mandate to make America safe and secure our homeland – but this judge’s actions to shield an accused violent criminal illegal alien from justice is shocking and shameful,’ Assistant Secretary Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

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Dugan, who was released after her arrest, pleaded not guilty earlier this month. Her trial is set to begin the week of July 21.

If found guilty of both charges, she could face up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines. 

She has served as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge since 2016, winning election with about 65 percent of the vote and running unopposed for reelection in 2022, according to CBS News.

As for Flores-Ruiz, he had appeared in Dugan’s court on April 18 for a status conference in a misdemeanor battery case, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 

He is accused of repeatedly hitting and briefly strangling his roommate, and also striking two women who tried to intervene.

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Flores-Ruiz has pleaded not guilty to three battery charges and to a separate federal charge of illegally re-entering the US after being deported to Mexico 12 years ago. 

Six federal agents were present at the courthouse on April 18 to arrest him. He was ultimately taken into custody after a short chase outside the courthouse.



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Wisconsin

As doctors try to reinforce need for vaccines, RFK Jr., continues to spread doubts

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As doctors try to reinforce need for vaccines, RFK Jr., continues to spread doubts


Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vaccines in the news again.

The U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary has a history of spreading doubt and misinformation around vaccines.

He wrapped up June by making false statements that pediatricians encourage vaccinations to make profits. Then he stunned the global health community by criticizing a worldwide health alliance as careless based on one old, flawed study.

A week ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians and American Public Health Association sued Kennedy over recent changes to federal COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.

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So what are the facts?

For children born between 1994 and 2023, the CDC estimates that vaccines prevented 1.1 million deaths and resulted in $540 billion in direct savings.

Here’s what else you should know.

What doctors and public health officials are saying

Why should we vaccinate children? According to Margaret Hennessy, a physician representing the Wisconsin chapter of the American Academy of Pediatricians, the easiest way to say it is that “disease is bad.”

“Many of the illnesses we vaccinate against cause premature death, especially in young children,” said Hennessy. Those that don’t kill can cause permanent health problems like blindness.

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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services website on childhood vaccination says that “vaccines are among the best way to protect the health of our children,” citing frequent deaths from measles, whooping cough and Haemophilus influenzae before these vaccines were widely available.

In addition to providing protection for individuals, the DHS website says that widespread vaccination means that diseases have less opportunity to spread. When enough people are vaccinated to reach “herd immunity,” overall case numbers drop, protecting everyone.

The latest on Wisconsin vaccination data

One measure of vaccination rates is the percentage of children who have completed every dose of a seven-vaccine series by the time they reach 24 months old. These include at least 4 doses of DTaP, 3 doses of poliovirus, 1 dose of MMR, 3 doses of Hib, 3 doses of HepB, 1 dose of varicella (chickenpox) and 4 doses of PCV vaccines.

While these numbers are not perfect measures because they don’t count booster shots that are important through childhood and adulthood, they can give a rough estimate of vaccination trends.

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In 2024, only 68.8% of Wisconsin children had completed this seven-vaccine series by 24 months of age. However, this can vary across the state. Individual county vaccination rates ranged from 31% to 81%, with Milwaukee County sitting slightly below the statewide average at 65.5%.

The most recent data from the CDC, covering children born in 2016, reported that 69.7% of children across the country had completed the vaccine series on time.

According to the CDC, vaccinating children by this age is important for providing the best protection against diseases.

What do schools require?

Immunization requirements for child care and school entry in Wisconsin differ slightly from the seven-vaccine series. They have slightly different dose requirements and don’t require vaccines only recommended for toddlers.

The Wisconsin DHS added a requirement for the 2024-25 school year for the Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) by seventh grade, and a booster by 12th grade. Meningococcal disease is a rare, but serious disease that can be fatal in 10% to 15% of people who get it.

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“Now is the time parents should be making appointments to get their children in for the vaccines they need for back to school,” said Schauer.

More information on school requirements can be found on the Wisconsin DHS website. You can also talk to your doctor or reach out to local or tribal health departments.

Why do doubts persist?

Misinformation is one factor driving vaccine hesitancy. The effects are showing up in low vaccination rates here in Wisconsin, and the situation around the world is even more dire.

However, “vaccines are rigorously tested and thoroughly reviewed for safety and effectiveness before they are licensed,” Stephanie Schauer, Wisconsin Immunization Program Manager for DHS, said in an email to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Once licensed, they continue to be monitored for safety.”

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“It’s not just that we say that you should vaccinate your children, but it’s that we do it ourselves. I don’t know any colleagues who don’t vaccinate their children,” said Hennessy.

Beyond childhood vaccines, the Wisconsin Medical Society joined other medical organizations in June to protect access to vaccines for influenza, RSV and COVID-19. The organizations said in a letter that vaccines “remain among the best tools to protect the public against these illnesses and their potentially serious complications.”

Why success can be damaging

One major barrier to vaccinations actually may be their efficacy. Because many young parents grew up at a time when diseases like measles were not common, there can be a tendency to not recognize their seriousness.

Additionally, Hennessy said, physical access to vaccine providers can be a barrier. Finding time to visit a doctor, especially in rural areas when people might have to travel far, can prevent people from accessing vaccines.

To check if you or your children are up to date on vaccinations, you can look up vaccination records on the Wisconsin Immunization Registry maintained by the Wisconsin DHS. More details about vaccinations for children and adults can be found on the Immunize Wisconsin website.

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Wisconsin house that was once a Carnegie Library listed at $375K in Superior

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Wisconsin house that was once a Carnegie Library listed at 5K in Superior


The home still holds signs of library grandeur: a striking vestibule, gleaming wood floors and 14-foot ceilings on the main floor. (Sam Olson)

Carnegie’s libraries were a major part of the “Great American Library Movement” of that era, said Celeste Ford of the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Before that, she said, there was no widespread public funding via taxes for libraries.

Superior did have a library as early as 1869, two decades before it became a city, Meronek said. But early libraries like that were typically located in a small room and privately funded.

Carnegie’s money built 63 libraries in Wisconsin and 66 in Minnesota. The council doesn’t know exactly how many are still functioning as libraries, though it does maintain a map and list of all of them.

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“Many have been repurposed into museums, community centers, offices, event venues and, more rarely, private homes. But there’s no comprehensive record of how many fall into each category,” said Angely Montilla, also of the Carnegie foundation.

“Many [Carnegie Libraries] have been repurposed into museums, community centers, offices, event venues and, more rarely, private homes,” said Angely Montilla of the Carnegie Corporation of New York. (Sam Olson)

Nagel’s home still holds signs of library grandeur: a striking vestibule, gleaming wood floors, 14-foot ceilings on the main floor and 10-foot ceilings on the lower level. The windows around a large room that occupies much of the main floor are also 6 to 8 feet tall.

Nagel, who works in maintenance, installed two furnaces and removed about 4,000 pounds of Styrofoam from the garage roof, which he suspects was for insulation.



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Storms bring flash flooding in northern Wisconsin. Heavy rains are possible elsewhere.

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Storms bring flash flooding in northern Wisconsin. Heavy rains are possible elsewhere.


Some areas of northwestern Wisconsin saw between 5 and 7 inches of rain after storms rolled through Tuesday, flooding several roads. Another round of storms in central and southeastern Wisconsin could also bring flooding and damaging winds Wednesday afternoon into the night.

The National Weather Service Office in Duluth said eastern Douglas and southwestern Bayfield counties saw the heaviest rainfall Tuesday, according to meteorologist Cory Rothstein.

“We were seeing rainfall rates in excess of 2 inches an hour in spots,” Rothstein said.

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The town of Gordon reported 5.2 inches of rain, and about 6.5 inches fell about 12 miles northwest of Cable. The storms prompted localized flooding in Superior, as well as water over county roads in Burnett and Washburn counties. Water also covered campsites in the Washburn area of Bayfield County.

Rothstein said on Wednesday morning that reports were still filtering in.

“Just occasional road washouts here and there,” he said. “We haven’t heard of anything more significant yet.”

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The storms also brought tree damage and high winds with a gust of 52 miles per hour recorded just west of Ashland. Downed trees were reported in the Spooner area and near the border of Washburn and Sawyer counties where a tree caught fire after falling on a power line.

Xcel Energy’s website shows about 200 customers were without power Wednesday morning, primarily in Vilas County.

Up to a half-inch of rain is expected in northern Wisconsin today. In central and northeastern Wisconsin, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for this afternoon and evening.

About 2 to 3 inches of rain is expected, but amounts could be higher in some local areas. The region could see flash flooding of rivers, streams and low-lying areas.

Severe thunderstorms might also cause heavy rainfall and damaging winds in southeastern Wisconsin, prompting the cancelation of the Milwaukee Night Market. The market gathering, which draws up to 100,000 people on four nights each summer, has been rescheduled to Oct. 1. 

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