Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan faces up to six years in prison after being caught red-handed helping an illegal immigrant escape from ICE agents through her courtroom’s back door.
Key Takeaways
- Judge Hannah Dugan has been indicted on charges of obstruction of justice and concealing Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz from federal law enforcement
- Dugan allegedly escorted the illegal immigrant and his lawyer out of her courtroom through a back door to help him evade ICE agents waiting to apprehend him
- The illegal immigrant, Flores-Ruiz, had previously been deported in 2013 and illegally re-entered the United States
- If convicted on both counts, Dugan could face up to six years in federal prison
- The Wisconsin Supreme Court has suspended Dugan from her judicial duties to preserve public confidence in the judiciary
Judge Accused of Helping Illegal Immigrant Evade Authorities
Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan has been formally indicted on federal charges after allegedly helping an illegal immigrant evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The charges stem from an incident in which Dugan is accused of escorting Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out of her courtroom through a back door, 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, making him a priority for immigration enforcement under President Trump’s policies.
Court documents detail how Dugan displayed a “confrontational, angry demeanor” toward ICE agents who were present in her courtroom to apprehend Flores-Ruiz. Instead of allowing agents to carry out their lawful duties, Dugan reportedly instructed them to speak with the chief justice and then proceeded to help Flores-Ruiz escape through an alternative exit. Despite Dugan’s interference, ICE agents eventually apprehended Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse after a foot chase, demonstrating the determination of federal authorities to enforce immigration laws regardless of local obstruction.
— @amuse (@amuse) April 25, 2025
Legal Consequences and Defense Strategy
The FBI arrested Judge Dugan on April 25 at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, and she now faces serious legal consequences for her actions. Specifically, Dugan has been charged with obstruction of justice and concealing a person from arrest, which together could result in up to six years in prison if she is convicted. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has taken the significant step of suspending Dugan from her judicial duties, recognizing the severity of the allegations and the need to maintain public trust in the judicial system during this controversial case.
“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. 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,” states the motion.
Dugan’s defense team is fighting back with a strategy centered on judicial immunity. Her attorneys have filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that she was acting in her official capacity as a judge and is therefore immune from prosecution. This legal maneuver attempts to frame her actions as part of her judicial duties rather than deliberate obstruction of federal law enforcement. However, prosecutors counter that actively helping someone evade federal authorities falls well outside the bounds of legitimate judicial functions and constitutes criminal behavior regardless of her position.
Political Implications and Broader Context
This case highlights the ongoing tension between the Trump administration’s firm stance on immigration enforcement and those attempting to obstruct these efforts. The prosecution of a sitting judge sends a clear message that no one is above the law when it comes to interfering with federal immigration enforcement. Flores-Ruiz remains in ICE custody at the Dodge Detention Facility in Wisconsin, as the legal process against both him and Judge Dugan continues to unfold. This case represents a significant test of whether judicial authority can be used as a shield for activities that directly undermine federal immigration law.
“People feel very strongly about the way the president and administration is conducting immigration policy,” said John Vaudreuil, former federal prosecutor
Former federal prosecutor John Vaudreuil has suggested that the Trump administration may be using this case to make an example of Dugan, illustrating the consequences for those who attempt to obstruct immigration enforcement. While Dugan’s defense team maintains her innocence and expects vindication, this case serves as a stark reminder of the administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and holding accountable those who interfere with that mission. The pending trial will determine whether Dugan’s actions constitute criminal behavior or fall within the bounds of her judicial authority.
