Milwaukee Judge Arrested for Shielding Undocumented Immigrant from ICE Agents
Federal authorities escalated tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary on Friday with the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan. She was accused of obstructing a federal immigration operation. The arrest highlights the administration’s assertive posture toward state and local officials viewed as impeding immigration enforcement priorities.
Incident Overview: Allegations Against Judge Dugan
According to an affidavit filed by an FBI special agent, the incident occurred on April 18, 2025. Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attempted to detain Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican citizen identified as unlawfully present in the United States, following a criminal court appearance in Milwaukee. Flores-Ruiz faced multiple charges, including domestic abuse, battery, and infliction of injury. He had previously re-entered the country illegally.
The affidavit alleges that Judge Dugan reacted with visible anger upon learning of ICE’s presence. She confronted federal agents, demanded to see a judicial warrant, and directed them to the courthouse’s chief judge. Shortly afterward, Dugan allegedly escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a nonpublic exit, diverting them from agents stationed to make the arrest. FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration agents apprehended Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse following a foot pursuit.
Federal Charges and Judicial Process
On April 25, FBI agents arrested Judge Dugan at the courthouse. She was charged with obstruction of proceedings before a U.S. department or agency and with concealing an individual to prevent discovery and arrest. Dugan appeared briefly before a federal magistrate judge and was released pending further proceedings. Prosecutors indicated they would present the case to a grand jury.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the agency’s actions in a statement posted to X, asserting that Dugan had endangered public safety. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, in a separate statement, emphasized Flores-Ruiz’s alleged violent history and referred to him as a “criminal illegal alien,” citing charges of strangulation, suffocation, and battery.
Political and Legal Reactions
The arrest has ignited a national debate regarding the balance of authority between federal immigration agencies and the judiciary. Legal scholars, including Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of UC Berkeley School of Law, described the federal action as “highly unusual” and characterized it as an effort to pressure judges reluctant to cooperate with immigration enforcement.
Several public officials criticized the arrest. Milwaukee Common Council Member Peter Burgelis described Judge Dugan as a principled public servant committed to constitutional protections. Representative Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) denounced the move as federal overreach, while Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) warned that arresting a sitting judge could undermine judicial independence and the separation of powers.
Dugan’s attorney, Craig Mastantuono, issued a statement defending her commitment to due process and affirming her intention to vigorously contest the charges.
Broader Context: Trump Administration and Judicial Tensions
The arrest mirrors earlier confrontations between the Trump administration and the judiciary. In 2019, during Trump’s first term, Massachusetts District Judge Shelley Joseph faced federal indictment for allegedly obstructing an ICE arrest. Those charges were later dropped in 2022 following a disciplinary referral process. Dugan’s case signals a renewed effort by the administration to assert federal immigration authority and challenge perceived judicial resistance.
Since returning to office in January 2025, President Trump has frequently criticized the judiciary, especially judges issuing nationwide injunctions against his immigration policies. In March, Trump publicly criticized U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, accusing the judiciary of attempting to “assume the powers of the presidency” and warning of severe national consequences.
Current Status and Implications
Judge Dugan’s court calendar will be reassigned to other judges, according to Milwaukee Chief Judge Carl Ashley, who cited judicial conduct rules restricting public commentary on pending matters. Dugan’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 15, 2025.
Beyond its immediate legal consequences, Dugan’s case may emerge as a significant flashpoint in the broader debate over immigration enforcement, judicial independence, and the limits of executive authority in American governance.
