US judge pleads not guilty to impeding immigrant’s arrest
The case came after the US Justice Department vowed to probe local officials who impede the administration’s immigration enforcement
A Wisconsin judge pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges accusing her of helping a migrant evade an arrest outside her courtroom in a case with implications for US President Donald Trump’s sweeping immigration crackdown.
Hannah Dugan, an elected judge on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, is facing federal charges accusing her of obstruction and concealing an individual wanted for arrest. Her lawyer, Steven Biskupic, entered the plea on her behalf during a brief proceeding.
US Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries set a July 22 trial date.
Several dozen protesters gathered outside the federal courthouse in Milwaukee before the hearing, denouncing the Trump administration and chanting, “hands off Judge Dugan”. A few demonstrators flew an upside down American flag, a symbol of national distress.
Dugan, wearing a dark suit and purple blouse, exited the courthouse into a waiting car without speaking to reporters.
Prosecutors allege that Dugan sought to derail the planned arrest by directing federal agents away from the hallway outside her courtroom and escorting the migrant, identified as Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, through a non-public exit.