A Milwaukee judge’s brazen attempt to shield an illegal immigrant from federal authorities has landed her in hot water, facing serious charges and potential prison time.
WFIN reported that on April 18, 2025, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI for allegedly helping Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a previously deported Mexican national, evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
This incident has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with Dugan now charged with obstruction and concealment, temporarily suspended from her judicial role, and staring down a possible five-year sentence.
Dugan, 65, was presiding over a case involving Flores-Ruiz, who faced three misdemeanor battery charges for allegedly assaulting two people. Flores-Ruiz had been deported from the U.S. in 2013, and ICE sought to arrest him on April 18 for illegally reentering the country, a federal felony.
Federal agents arrived at the courthouse armed with an administrative warrant for his immigration violations.
In a stunning display of defiance, Dugan reportedly ordered the federal agents to leave her courtroom. She demanded they produce a judicial warrant from the Chief Judge’s office, dismissing their authority. This confrontation set the stage for her alleged misconduct.
Instead of proceeding with Flores-Ruiz’s pre-trial hearing, Dugan abruptly canceled it, even though the alleged victims were present.
She then took the extraordinary step of personally escorting Flores-Ruiz out of the courtroom through a restricted “jury door.” This exit led to a non-public hallway, allowing him to leave the building.
Federal agents, undeterred, pursued Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse and apprehended him after a brief foot chase. Dugan’s actions, however, had already crossed a legal line, prompting swift consequences. Her interference with federal law enforcement has raised serious questions about judicial overreach.
The FBI arrested Dugan on April 18, charging her with obstructing a federal proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison, given that Flores-Ruiz was wanted for a felony. For a misdemeanor, the penalty would be one year.
“It’s five years if the individual is wanted for a felony, and it’s one year if they’re wanted for a misdemeanor,” attorney Neama Rahmani told Fox News Digital.
He emphasized the severity of Dugan’s alleged actions, noting that helping someone evade federal authorities is a significant breach of the law. “The Department of Justice has the upper hand here,” Rahmani added.
Rahmani further explained that under the Supremacy Clause, state judges cannot ignore federal law or warrants, whether judicial or administrative. “A state judge can’t just slow down immigration enforcement,” he said. “It’s very clear this is exclusively a federal issue.”
On April 22, 2025, Dugan’s courtroom was found locked, and she was absent from her duties. By April 23, she was temporarily suspended from her judicial position, pending the outcome of her case. These developments have left Milwaukee’s judicial system grappling with the fallout of her actions.
Dugan has assembled a high-powered legal team to fight the charges, including the law firm Mastantuono Coffee & Thomas, former U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic, and former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement. Her next court appearance is scheduled for May 15, 2025. She remains defiant, with her legal team stating on her behalf.
“Judge Hannah C. Dugan has committed herself to the rule of law and the principles of due process for her entire career as a lawyer and a judge,” the law firm stated.
“She has retained former United States Attorney Steven Biskupic to represent her.” They added that Dugan intends to defend herself vigorously and expects to be exonerated.
Rahmani underscored the broader implications of the case, stressing that no one is above the law. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a cartel member, a coyote, local law enforcement, a judge – you can’t do it,” he said. “The law applies to everyone equally.”
This incident has fueled outrage among those who believe judges should uphold, not undermine, federal authority. Dugan’s alleged actions are seen as a direct challenge to national sovereignty and the rule of law, particularly in the context of immigration enforcement. Critics argue that such behavior erodes public trust in the judiciary.