Hannah Dugan, Branch 31, speaks as candidates seeking election to Milwaukee County Circuit Court branches 31, 44 and 45 appeared during a forum at the Milwaukee Bar Association on E. Wells St. in Milwaukee on Tuesday, March 15, 2016.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin – In a stunning and deeply polarizing escalation of the federal government’s immigration enforcement efforts, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested Friday on federal charges of obstructing justice. The charges stem from an alleged incident in which she is accused of helping an undocumented immigrant evade federal agents inside the courthouse.
Federal prosecutors say Judge Dugan “intentionally misdirected” a group of immigration, DEA, and FBI agents who arrived at her courtroom last week to detain Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national appearing in an unrelated domestic violence case. According to a criminal complaint, after confronting the agents and questioning the legitimacy of their administrative warrant, Dugan guided Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a restricted “jury door” exit, bypassing the agents waiting in the hallway.
Flores-Ruiz was later spotted outside the building by a DEA agent. A foot chase ensued along the courthouse perimeter before agents ultimately apprehended him.
The FBI arrested Judge Dugan early Friday morning. FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest in a post on social media platform X, accusing her of “intentionally misdirecting” agents and “concealing an individual to prevent arrest.” Dugan briefly appeared in federal court later that day and was released on her own recognizance.
The arrest marks a sharp intensification in the Trump administration’s conflict with local authorities over immigration enforcement, particularly in so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions. These are areas that refuse to fully cooperate with federal immigration agents, often by not allowing local law enforcement to inquire about a person’s immigration status or by not honoring detainer requests. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the arrest on Fox News, warning, “It doesn’t matter who you are — if you obstruct justice, you will be prosecuted.”
Critics, however, expressed alarm over what they see as political retribution and an attack on judicial independence.
“This is terrifying,” said Christopher Wellborn, president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. “Our democracy relies on an independent judiciary. This feels like a retaliatory strike from the executive branch.”
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley echoed that concern, accusing the FBI of “politicizing” the incident and “making an example” of Judge Dugan.
Chief Judge Carl Ashley confirmed that Dugan’s caseload will be reassigned pending the investigation, but declined further comment.
The case has ignited fierce debate over immigration enforcement in courthouses — a long-running point of friction between federal authorities and local jurisdictions, who argue that aggressive tactics deter immigrants from seeking legal protections.
Judge Dugan has not yet commented publicly. If convicted, she could face years in federal prison. Her arrest and potential conviction could have significant implications for the legal system, particularly in terms of judicial independence and the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches of government.
