A judge in Wisconsin has been arrested by the FBI for allegedly trying to help an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was taken into custody on Friday morning after an incident at her courthouse.
The situation began when Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national with a history of deportation, appeared in Dugan’s court. He was facing three misdemeanor battery charges related to a fight. On April 17, an immigration judge had issued a warrant for his arrest. The following day, both ICE agents and FBI officers arrived at the courthouse to apprehend him.
Once Dugan learned that immigration officials were present, she reportedly became agitated. According to court documents, she directed several agents to the chief justice’s office and then helped Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer exit through a side door intended for jurors. This allowed Flores-Ruiz to escape the courtroom, but he was captured shortly after following a brief foot chase.
Dugan now faces charges of obstruction and concealing an individual to avoid arrest. If convicted, she could face up to six years in prison. Her attorney stated that Dugan "wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest," claiming it was not in the interest of public safety. After her arrest, she was released on her own recognizance and is scheduled for a hearing on May 15.
The case has drawn significant attention, with Attorney General Pam Bondi stating on social media that Dugan was detained for allegedly assisting an undocumented immigrant. She emphasized that "no one is above the law."
Dugan has served as a judge since her election in 2016 and was re-elected for a second term in 2022. Although judicial elections in Wisconsin are non-partisan, she received an endorsement from Milwaukee’s Democratic mayor. The charges against her include a maximum sentence of five years and a $250,000 fine for obstruction, and up to one year and a $100,000 fine for concealment.
This incident raises important questions about the role of judges in immigration matters and how they balance their duties with legal obligations. As the case unfolds, it will likely spark further debate on immigration enforcement and judicial conduct in the United States.