Milwaukee County judge is facing serious federal charges after allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade arrest by ICE agents.
On Friday morning, FBI agents arrested Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on charges of obstruction of an official proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent discovery and arrest. According to a criminal complaint, Dugan allegedly hid a previously deported Mexican national, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, in her jury room to shield him from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Flores-Ruiz, who had re-entered the U.S. illegally after a prior deportation, had been scheduled to appear before Dugan on April 18 to face three misdemeanor battery charges. Federal agents from ICE, the FBI, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were waiting to detain him after the hearing.
Instead of cooperating, Dugan allegedly directed the agents to the chief judge’s office, and after Flores-Ruiz’s court appearance, personally escorted him and his attorney through a restricted jury exit — bypassing the public area where ICE agents were stationed.
Federal and Local Reaction
Dugan made a brief appearance in federal court on Friday without commenting publicly. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said she “wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest,” and argued that her actions were not a threat to public safety. Her next court hearing is set for May 15.
The arrest has stirred political tensions. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers criticized the Trump administration, accusing it of targeting judges who don’t rule in its favor and undermining the judiciary. Similarly, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson blasted the arrest, calling it political “showboating” that could discourage people from participating in court proceedings.
However, others expressed outrage over Dugan’s alleged actions. Attorney General Pam Bondi called her behavior “unbelievable,” pointing out that the case involved domestic violence. According to officials, Flores-Ruiz allegedly beat two people so severely that both victims required hospitalization.
Former acting ICE Director Tom Homan defended the charges, emphasizing that harboring or concealing undocumented immigrants from law enforcement constitutes a felony: “Support illegal immigration all you want, but don’t cross the line and actively obstruct enforcement.”
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that Dugan’s actions put the public at greater risk by enabling a wanted individual to temporarily evade arrest. Despite her interference, federal agents ultimately caught Flores-Ruiz after a brief foot chase outside the courthouse.
Background on the Incident
Flores-Ruiz, a previously deported individual, had no legal right to be in the U.S. He was arrested after agents found probable cause that he violated U.S. immigration law by reentering the country without permission.
The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of courthouse immigration arrests, following other high-profile incidents, including the recent arrest of a New Mexico judge and his wife for allegedly harboring a gang-affiliated illegal immigrant.
State Rep. Bob Donovan, a Republican from Wisconsin, called Dugan’s actions “the most irresponsible act by an officer of the court” he had ever seen and urged a full federal investigation.
Judge Dugan, first elected to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in 2016, is known for her background in legal aid and nonprofit leadership, including her time as executive director of Catholic Charities. She oversees mostly misdemeanor cases and ran unopposed in her 2022 reelection.
Political Fallout
Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, condemned the arrest, arguing that immigration enforcement should not interfere with the functioning of the criminal justice system. He stressed that Dugan deserves due process and the presumption of innocence.
As the legal process unfolds, the case has become a flashpoint in the broader national debate over immigration, judicial independence, and the limits of federal enforcement tactics.