On April 25, 2025, US authorities arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, charging her with obstructing a government proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent arrest.
The US Justice Department alleges Dugan helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a man facing misdemeanour battery charges, evade immigration agents on April 18 by allowing him to exit her courtroom through a jury door. The arrest highlights escalating tensions between President Donald Trump’s administration and local officials over immigration enforcement.
According to a criminal complaint and Reuters, immigration agents entered Dugan’s courtroom without a judicial warrant to arrest Flores-Ruiz, a previously deported Mexican national. Dugan, reportedly “visibly angry,” questioned the agents’ administrative warrant and directed Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer to leave via a non-public exit. After a brief chase, agents arrested Flores-Ruiz outside. Dugan, released after a brief federal court appearance in Milwaukee, is set to enter a plea on May 15. Her representatives stated she would “defend herself vigorously” and expect exoneration.
BREAKING: A Milwaukee County circuit judge has been arrested by the FBI over allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant "evade arrest," according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Read more: https://t.co/IHBDIQGDTP pic.twitter.com/Wib8BIXYKt
— ABC News (@ABC) April 25, 2025Broader Context of Trump’s Immigration Policies
Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown, launched in January 2025, has sparked conflicts with local officials. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasised, “No one, least of all a judge, should obstruct law enforcement operations.” The Justice Department has prioritised prosecuting officials who interfere, a tactic seen during Trump’s 2017-2021 term. FBI Director Kash Patel’s now-deleted social media post labelling Flores-Ruiz an “illegal alien” raised concerns about case secrecy violations.
In a separate case, authorities arrested former New Mexico judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy, for allegedly helping a Venezuelan individual linked to a street gang destroy incriminating cellphone evidence. On April 22, the state Supreme Court barred Cano from performing judicial duties.
NEW: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi discussed the details behind the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan.
Judge Dugan's lawyers released a statement saying she "looks forward to being exonerated." https://t.co/iDaVgH5k1P pic.twitter.com/styPYJsl3L
— ABC News (@ABC) April 25, 2025These cases underscore the Trump administration’s aggressive stance against perceived obstructions to immigration enforcement.
Senator Dick Durbin criticized the administration’s actions, arguing that arresting judges undermines the justice system and deters victims from coming forward. Legal expert Barbara McQuade called the prosecution “aggressive,” noting judges lack special immunity but warning of impacts on federal-state legal balance. The case has drawn public attention, with supporters chanting “Free the judge now” outside the courthouse.
