Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan faces serious federal charges after allegedly helping an illegal immigrant escape ICE agents through her courtroom’s back door, showcasing a disturbing example of judicial activism undermining U.S. immigration law.
Key Takeaways
- Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan has been indicted on federal charges of obstruction of justice for allegedly helping illegal immigrant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade ICE custody.
- Dugan allegedly escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through her courtroom’s back door while displaying a “confrontational, angry demeanor” toward ICE agents.
- Flores-Ruiz had illegally re-entered the U.S. after being deported in 2013 and was eventually apprehended after a foot chase outside the courthouse.
- If convicted on both counts, Judge Dugan faces up to six years in federal prison, though her defense claims judicial immunity should protect her.
- The Wisconsin Supreme Court has suspended Dugan from her judicial duties to preserve public confidence in the judiciary system.
A Judge Allegedly Helps an Illegal Immigrant Evade Federal Authorities
On April 25, the FBI arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan at the courthouse where she presides. The arrest came after a federal grand jury indicted her on charges of obstruction of justice and concealing a person from arrest. According to court documents, Dugan deliberately helped Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who were waiting to take him into custody after his court appearance. Flores-Ruiz had previously been deported in 2013 and had illegally re-entered the country, making him a priority for removal under President Trump’s strengthened immigration enforcement policies.
The indictment details how Dugan allegedly escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a back door of her courtroom to help him avoid the ICE agents who were positioned in the hallway. Witnesses described Dugan as having a “confrontational, angry demeanor” toward the federal agents, according to court documents. When ICE officers attempted to execute their lawful duties, Dugan reportedly instructed them to speak with the chief justice instead, creating a delay that allowed the illegal immigrant to attempt an escape. Despite Dugan’s alleged interference, Flores-Ruiz was eventually apprehended outside the courthouse after a brief foot chase.
— @amuse (@amuse) April 25, 2025
Legal Battle Over Judicial Immunity and Federal Immigration Enforcement
Dugan’s legal team has filed a motion to dismiss the case, claiming she acted in her official capacity as a judge and should therefore be protected by judicial immunity. “The problems with the prosecution are legion, but most immediately, the government cannot prosecute Judge Dugan because she is entitled to judicial immunity for her official acts,” the motion states. “Immunity is not a defense to the prosecution to be determined later by a jury or court; it is an absolute bar to the prosecution at the outset,” her attorneys argued in the motion filed with the court.
“Hannah Dugan, the Wisconsin judge accused of attempting to help an illegal migrant evade U.S. immigration authorities, has officially been indicted,” reported the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Following her arrest, Dugan was released from custody pending trial. Her defense team maintains her “innocence” and says she “looks forward to being vindicated in court,” according to her attorney Craig Mastantuono. However, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has temporarily suspended Dugan from her judicial duties to preserve public confidence in the judiciary. This suspension will remain in effect while the serious federal charges against her are adjudicated, leaving her professional future in limbo regardless of the case’s outcome.
Political Implications and the Enforcement of Immigration Law
This case highlights the ongoing tension between the Trump administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and resistance from some local officials. Former federal prosecutor John Vaudreuil suggested that the prosecution may be politically motivated, saying “people feel very strongly about the way the president and administration is conducting immigration policy.”
The indictment of a sitting judge for allegedly interfering with federal law enforcement sends a clear message that no one is above the law when it comes to immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. While some Democrat-leaning localities have enacted sanctuary policies limiting cooperation with ICE, this case demonstrates that actively obstructing federal agents in the performance of their duties crosses a line that can result in serious criminal charges. Flores-Ruiz remains in ICE custody at the Dodge Detention Facility in Wisconsin, awaiting deportation proceedings, while Judge Dugan’s case continues to make its way through the federal court system.
