Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on April 25, 2025, after allegedly assisting an undocumented immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, in evading arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. According to federal authorities, Dugan directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a private jury door, leading them into a restricted hallway used only by court staff and law enforcement. This maneuver allowed Flores-Ruiz to avoid immediate detention, though he was later apprehended outside the courthouse after a foot chase.
Federal prosecutors charged Dugan with obstruction of a U.S. agency and concealing an individual to prevent arrest, both serious offenses that could result in up to six years in prison and a $350,000 fine. Witnesses reported that Dugan appeared visibly frustrated upon learning that ICE agents were present in the courthouse. She allegedly instructed the agents to speak with Chief Judge Carl Ashley, which some officials believe was a deliberate attempt to misdirect them while she facilitated Flores-Ruiz’s escape.
Here are both sides of the issue
The incident has sparked intense debate, with some viewing Dugan’s actions as a principled stand against aggressive immigration enforcement, while others see it as a blatant obstruction of justice. Wisconsin lawmakers have expressed mixed reactions, with Republican officials calling for her removal from the bench, while some Democratic leaders argue that her arrest is an intimidation tactic aimed at judges who oppose strict immigration policies. The case has drawn national attention, highlighting tensions between federal immigration authorities and local courts.
Dugan is scheduled to appear in court on May 15 for a preliminary hearing, where a grand jury will determine whether there is sufficient evidence for an indictment. In the meantime, she has been temporarily removed from her judicial duties, with her cases reassigned to other judges. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case will likely continue to fuel discussions about judicial independence, immigration enforcement, and the role of local courts in federal immigration matters.
I want to be clear about something, When you’re a Circuit Court Judge in Milwaukee with an oath to uphold justice, have literal victims in your courtroom demanding justice, you must do the honorable thing. Either recuse yourself or carry on with the trial. To conduct herself in the manner in which she did is unethical and misleading.
Staff Writer David R
