Federal authorities arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday morning, accusing her of assisting a man in evading immigration enforcement agents.
Judge Dugan was taken into federal custody, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the U.S. Marshals Service and Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi underscored the seriousness of the situation by stating, "No one is above the law."
According to initial reports, Judge Dugan allegedly redirected federal agents, allowing Eduardo Flores Ruiz, identified by FBI Director Kash Patel as residing in the U.S. unlawfully, to avoid apprehension temporarily. Patel later deleted his social media statement, which indicated that FBI agents ultimately detained Flores Ruiz following a pursuit. Patel criticized the judge's actions, asserting they had "created increased danger to the public."
This arrest aligns with the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to prosecute state and local officials who interfere with federal immigration enforcement. Previously, a similar case arose in Massachusetts, where charges were eventually dropped after the implicated judge agreed to disciplinary review.
Dugan’s court schedule was fully booked on Friday, according to Chief Judge Carl Ashley, who confirmed another judge would manage her docket.
Dugan was elected to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in 2016. Before her bench election, she practiced civil law privately, served as executive director for Catholic Charities of Southeastern Wisconsin, and was a litigation attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee.
The Trump administration has frequently clashed with cities and jurisdictions resistant to cooperating fully with immigration enforcement, commonly labeled "sanctuary cities." Although Milwaukee has not formally adopted this designation, local leadership has emphasized welcoming immigrants, cautioning against federal immigration actions that disrupt courthouse operations or create fear among immigrant communities.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley recently expressed concerns to the Wall Street Journal regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducting arrests in courthouses, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding public trust and fairness in judicial proceedings. "The last thing we want is to interfere with the legal process or sow doubt in those summoned to the courthouse about whether or not they will receive fair, impartial justice," Crowley stated.
