Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan is facing serious legal jeopardy after federal authorities charged her with obstructing immigration enforcement by allegedly helping an illegal alien evade arrest inside a courthouse. Despite cries from left-wing officials accusing the Trump administration of attacking “judicial independence,” this case is simply a matter of enforcing the rule of law.
The Incident at Milwaukee County Courthouse
On April 18, 2025, ICE agents arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse with an administrative warrant to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican national with a violent criminal record. Flores-Ruiz was appearing for a pretrial conference on battery charges involving severe domestic violence.
Flores-Ruiz, who had previously been deported in 2013, had illegally reentered the U.S. and was facing serious accusations: court records show he assaulted three individuals, sending two to the hospital after a dispute over loud music at his Milwaukee residence.
According to an FBI affidavit, Judge Dugan became “visibly angry” upon learning that ICE agents were waiting to take Flores-Ruiz into custody. She reportedly adjourned the court session, led Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a restricted “jury door” exit to bypass the agents, and falsely redirected federal officers to the chief judge’s office to buy time.
Despite Dugan’s efforts, Flores-Ruiz was apprehended outside the courthouse after a brief foot chase through Milwaukee’s streets.
Federal Charges Filed
On April 25, the FBI arrested Dugan and charged her with obstruction of an official proceeding and concealing a person to prevent discovery and arrest—both felonies. If convicted, she could face up to five years in federal prison.
During her initial court appearance, Dugan was released pending further proceedings. Her attorney disputed the facts alleged by prosecutors, but Attorney General Pam Bondi stood firm, stressing that “no one is above the law,” and condemning Dugan for prioritizing a violent criminal over the rights of victims.
Political Outcry Versus Legal Accountability
Predictably, Democrat politicians rushed to frame the arrest as an attack on the judiciary. Governor Tony Evers and Representative Mark Pocan likened the charges to tactics used by authoritarian regimes. The Milwaukee City Council echoed their sentiments, calling the arrest “shocking and upsetting.”
Yet others took a different view. State Representative Bob Donovan urged a thorough investigation and pointed out that if the allegations are true, Dugan’s actions constituted a grave abuse of authority and a betrayal of public trust.
Not an Isolated Incident
This is not the first time a public official has been charged for undermining immigration enforcement. In Massachusetts, District Judge Shelley M. Richmond Joseph faced federal obstruction charges in 2019 for allegedly allowing an illegal immigrant to slip out a back door to evade ICE agents.
Similarly, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf famously tipped off illegal immigrants about impending federal raids in 2018, though she avoided criminal charges.
The Trump administration has had to battle not only violent cartels and transnational gangs, but also public officials willing to sabotage immigration enforcement efforts for political reasons.
A Nation Divided on Immigration
Today, nearly 20 million illegal immigrants live within the United States. Sanctuary city policies, judicial obstruction, and political resistance have made deportations even more difficult. Although President Trump has vowed to intensify enforcement efforts before the midterm elections, he faces a sizable opposition that openly favors open borders—even if it means undermining the law.
The Dugan case is not about judicial independence. It is about ensuring that laws are applied equally, regardless of status or profession. Americans deserve a judiciary committed to justice—not one that shields criminals at the expense of victims.
This case will be closely watched nationwide, as it will set a crucial precedent about whether public officials can openly defy federal law with impunity—or finally be held accountable.
