Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah C. Dugan was arrested on Friday, April 25, 2025, by federal authorities who allege she attempted to obstruct President Trump’s immigration agenda by aiding an undocumented immigrant in evading arrest during a court hearing. Dugan, 65, faces serious charges related to obstructing a proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent their arrest, stemming from an incident involving Mexican immigrant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 30, who was in her courtroom earlier this month on a misdemeanor battery charge.
According to the FBI, Dugan allegedly delayed the apprehension of Flores-Ruiz, who is now in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety," said her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, during a hearing on the same day of her arrest. Dugan was subsequently released from custody and is set to be arraigned on May 15, 2025.
Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee native, has been serving as a judge since her election in 2016, running unopposed for reelection in 2022. Her term is scheduled to last until 2028. Before her judicial career, she worked as the executive director of Catholic Charities of Southeastern Wisconsin from 2006 to 2009, and she has a long history of advocating for the vulnerable and marginalized. In a 2016 interview with the Milwaukee Independent, Dugan expressed her passion for law, stating, "The rule of law and precedential law is meant to provide consistency and predictably to create order and safety."
The controversy began on April 18, 2025, when ICE agents arrived at Dugan’s courtroom with an administrative warrant to arrest Flores-Ruiz. Reports indicate that when Dugan learned of the warrant, she requested more information and instructed the agents to speak with the chief judge before proceeding with the arrest. The FBI’s affidavit claims that Dugan became visibly upset, described the situation as "absurd," left the bench, and retreated to her chambers.
Witnesses allege that Dugan then directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorneys to exit through a side door, away from the agents. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that sources indicated Dugan did not hide Flores-Ruiz but rather guided him to a side door, leading him down a private hallway to the public area on the sixth floor.
Local political figures have reacted strongly to Dugan's actions. Republican state lawmaker Bob Donovan condemned her behavior, stating, "In all my years of Milwaukee politics and public safety issues, I have never seen a more irresponsible act by an officer of the court, let alone a judge, if true." He emphasized the importance of upholding the law, asserting that if Dugan is found to have aided a criminal, she should face disbarment.
Flores-Ruiz, who had previously been ordered removed from the United States in 2013, was apprehended by ICE outside the courthouse after a brief chase. The FBI's director, Kash Patel, remarked, "We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, allowing the subject — an illegal alien — to evade arrest." This arrest comes amid heightened tensions between the Trump administration and the judicial branch, as the administration seeks to enforce stricter immigration policies.
Dugan's background reflects her commitment to social justice and legal advocacy. After receiving her law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1987, she practiced civil law and served as an adjunct professor at Marquette University and Seattle University Law School. She has been recognized for her pro bono work and has served on various boards, including one that assessed sexual abuse complaints against clergy.
Despite the serious allegations against her, Dugan's attorneys have expressed confidence in her commitment to the law. They stated, "Judge 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," adding that she intends to defend herself vigorously and looks forward to being exonerated.
The unfolding events surrounding Judge Dugan's arrest highlight the complex interplay between judicial authority and immigration enforcement, raising questions about the role of judges in politically charged cases. As the legal proceedings continue, many will be watching closely to see how this situation develops and what implications it may have for the judicial system and immigration policy in Wisconsin and beyond.
