Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan faces up to six years in prison after allegedly helping a previously deported illegal alien escape Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents through her courtroom’s back door.
Key Takeaways
- Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan has been indicted on federal charges of obstruction of justice and concealing a person from law enforcement after allegedly helping an illegal immigrant evade ICE custody.
- Dugan reportedly escorted Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a back door of her courtroom while displaying a “confrontational, angry demeanor” toward ICE agents.
- Flores-Ruiz had illegally re-entered the United States after being deported in 2013 and was later apprehended outside the courthouse after a foot chase.
- Dugan has been suspended by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and faces up to six years in prison if convicted on both federal charges.
- The case has heightened tensions over immigration enforcement under President Trump’s administration and raised questions about judicial immunity.
Judge Accused of Helping Illegal Alien Evade Federal Authorities
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan has been formally indicted on federal charges after allegedly aiding an illegal immigrant in evading immigration authorities. The charges include obstruction of justice and concealing a person from federal law enforcement officers. According to court documents, Dugan escorted Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer out of her courtroom through a back door on February 15, 2025, deliberately helping him avoid ICE agents who were waiting to take him into custody. Flores-Ruiz had illegally re-entered the United States after being deported in 2013.
Witnesses described Dugan as having a “confrontational, angry demeanor” toward the ICE agents who had arrived at her courtroom to apprehend Flores-Ruiz. When agents attempted to identify themselves, Dugan reportedly became hostile and instructed them to speak with the chief justice instead of cooperating with their lawful duties. Despite Dugan’s alleged interference, Flores-Ruiz was eventually apprehended outside the courthouse following a foot chase and is currently in ICE custody at the Dodge Detention Facility in Wisconsin.
Legal Consequences and Defense Strategy
The FBI arrested Judge Dugan on April 25 at the courthouse, and she was later released from custody pending trial. If convicted on both federal charges, Dugan could face up to six years in prison. Following her arrest, the Wisconsin Supreme Court took swift action to preserve public confidence in the judiciary by suspending Dugan from her duties. The indictment represents a serious breach of judicial ethics and has sparked intense debate about the role of local authorities in federal immigration enforcement.
“The problems with the prosecution are legion, but most immediately, the government cannot prosecute Judge Dugan because she is entitled to judicial immunity for her official acts,” the motion states. “Immunity is not a defense to the prosecution to be determined later by a jury or court; it is an absolute bar to the prosecution at the outset,” according to a motion filed by Dugan’s legal team.
Dugan’s defense team has filed a motion to dismiss the case, claiming she acted in her official capacity as a judge and is therefore immune to prosecution. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, stated that Dugan “asserts her innocence and looks forward to being vindicated in court.” However, prosecutors maintain that helping an illegal immigrant evade federal authorities falls well outside the scope of judicial duties and represents a clear violation of federal law.
Political Implications of the Case
The case has intensified the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement under President Trump’s administration. Former federal prosecutor John Vaudreuil suggested that the case may be part of a broader strategy, noting that “people feel very strongly about the way the president and administration is conducting immigration policy.” The prosecution of a sitting judge for allegedly interfering with immigration enforcement sends a clear message about the administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws at all levels.
“People feel very strongly about the way the president and administration is conducting immigration policy,” said John Vaudreuil, former federal prosecutor.
The indictment of Judge Dugan highlights the growing tension between federal immigration enforcement and those who sympathize with illegal immigrants. While some activists have praised Dugan’s actions as compassionate, law enforcement officials and immigration hawks view her alleged conduct as a deliberate obstruction of justice and a dangerous precedent. The case represents just one example of the broader confrontation between the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies and those who seek to undermine them through various means, including judicial intervention.
