Judge Hannah Dugan faces federal charges after allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade ICE agents at a Milwaukee courthouse.
Washington, DC, April 26:
In a rare and dramatic move, the FBI on Friday arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, accusing her of obstructing federal immigration agents and helping an undocumented immigrant evade arrest at the courthouse.
According to federal prosecutors, Judge Dugan faces two felony charges: hindering apprehension and concealing an individual from arrest. She was released following an initial court appearance.
The arrest marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement efforts, particularly its focus on holding local officials accountable for non-cooperation with federal agencies.
FBI Director Kash Patel alleged that Dugan deliberately misled federal agents in an attempt to protect Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented Mexican national who had previously been deported in 2013 but returned illegally. He was flagged after a recent domestic violence arrest.
In a statement posted on X, Patel wrote:
“We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, allowing the subject — an illegal alien — to evade arrest. Thankfully, our agents chased him down and he has since been in custody.”
Court documents detail that agents in plainclothes entered Dugan’s courtroom on April 18 to detain Flores-Ruiz. After being informed of their presence, Dugan allegedly became visibly upset, confronted the agents, and told them they lacked proper authority. She then directed them to consult with the courthouse’s chief judge.
Several witnesses, including her own courtroom deputy and legal staff, reportedly told investigators they saw Dugan instruct Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit through a restricted jury door, effectively helping them avoid federal officers. The agents later found Flores-Ruiz outside, but he attempted to flee and was captured only after a chase.
The Justice Department hailed the arrest as a message to public officials who obstruct immigration enforcement. Attorney General Pam Bondi said on X, “No one is above the law.”
Trump’s former border czar, Tom Homan, warned: “If you knowingly harbor or conceal illegal aliens from ICE, you will be prosecuted.”
However, critics blasted the move as politically motivated. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers accused the Trump administration of undermining the judiciary with “dangerous rhetoric,” while Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson warned it could deter community members from attending court, potentially harming public safety.
Representative Gwen Moore called the arrest “shocking,” suggesting it reflected an “increasingly lawless” federal approach. “The arrest of a sitting judge is a serious matter and should meet the highest legal standard,” she said.
The case is expected to draw intense legal and political scrutiny in the coming days as the nation continues to grapple with immigration enforcement and judicial independence.