Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on Friday by the FBI and charged in federal court for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest by federal immigration agents, according to CNN.
Judge Dugan faces two charges related to obstruction—hindering and concealing an individual from arrest. She was released after her initial court appearance. The incident marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s scrutiny of local officials who allegedly resist cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
FBI Director Kash Patel accused Dugan of intentionally misdirecting agents away from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national with a prior deportation in 2013 who reentered the U.S. illegally and was recently involved in a domestic abuse case. Patel said the judge’s actions increased public danger and praised FBI agents for apprehending Flores-Ruiz after a brief foot chase outside the courthouse.
According to court documents, federal agents arrived at Dugan’s courtroom in plainclothes on April 18 to detain Flores-Ruiz. After being alerted by her deputy, Dugan reportedly became visibly upset, exited the courtroom, confronted the agents, and told them they needed a different warrant. She then directed them to the courthouse’s chief judge.
Multiple witnesses—including a courtroom deputy, a prosecutor, and a Victim Witness Specialist—claimed they saw Dugan instruct Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer to exit through a restricted area, the “jury door,” enabling them to temporarily avoid capture. Although agents later intercepted Flores-Ruiz outside, he fled and was only captured after a chase.
The Trump administration hailed Dugan’s arrest as a key step in their immigration enforcement crackdown. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the arrest on X (formerly Twitter), declaring that “no one is above the law.” Trump’s former border czar, Tom Homan, echoed the sentiment, warning that those who actively obstruct ICE will face prosecution.
Critics, however, decried the move as judicial overreach. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers accused the Trump administration of undermining the judiciary with “dangerous rhetoric.” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson warned that arresting a judge could erode public trust in the courts and discourage people from attending proceedings.
Democratic Representative Gwen Moore called the arrest “shocking,” stating that it raises serious concerns about federal law enforcement targeting local judicial figures and undermining constitutional protections.