Washington — A Wisconsin judge was arrested Friday after being accused of helping a man in her courtroom evade immigration authorities, intensifying tensions between local officials and the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies.
Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County circuit judge, faces federal charges of obstructing a government proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent arrest, according to a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Justice Department. Authorities allege that on April 18, Dugan aided Eduardo Flores-Ruiz in avoiding immediate arrest by allowing him to leave the courthouse through a jury door, bypassing immigration agents waiting outside without a judicial warrant. Flores-Ruiz was later arrested outside the building while accompanied by his lawyer.
Dugan appeared briefly in federal court in Milwaukee on Friday and was released pending her next hearing, where she is expected to enter a plea on May 15. Outside the courthouse, supporters gathered, chanting, “Free the judge now.” Dugan exited quietly through a side door and did not speak to reporters. In a statement through a publicity firm, Dugan vowed to “defend herself vigorously” and expressed confidence that she would be exonerated.
Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned Dugan’s actions, stating, “No one, least of all a judge, should obstruct law enforcement operations.” The case comes amid renewed efforts by the Trump administration to criminally pursue local officials who resist federal immigration enforcement — a strategy that sparked widespread opposition during Trump’s first presidential term from 2017 to 2021.
Adding to the controversy, FBI Director Kash Patel initially commented on the case on social media, calling Flores-Ruiz an “illegal alien” before the charges against Dugan were officially unsealed, raising concerns about potential violations of court secrecy rules.
Meanwhile, senior Senate Democrat Dick Durbin criticized the administration’s approach, warning that aggressive immigration enforcement inside courthouses “chills the criminal justice system” by discouraging witnesses and victims from participating.
The case highlights the growing friction between state courts and federal immigration authorities, with Dugan’s upcoming court appearance likely to draw continued national attention.