Wisconsin Judge’s Arrest Ignites Firestorm: Accused of Shielding Immigrant from ICE
MILWAUKEE, May 8, 2025 — The arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on April 25 has sent shockwaves through Wisconsin and beyond, escalating tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary over immigration enforcement. Dugan, a veteran judge, was charged with obstruction and concealing an individual after allegedly helping Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican national, evade U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a court hearing on April 18. The incident, described as a “shocking betrayal” by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has sparked fierce debate, with some hailing it as justice and others decrying it as an attack on judicial independence.
According to an FBI affidavit, Dugan became “visibly angry” when informed that ICE agents were at the courthouse to arrest Flores-Ruiz, who faced misdemeanor battery charges related to domestic abuse. The complaint alleges she escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out of her courtroom through a restricted jury door, bypassing the public exit where agents waited. A foot chase ensued, and Flores-Ruiz was apprehended nearby. FBI Director Kash Patel claimed Dugan’s actions “created increased danger to the public,” while Bondi emphasized that victims of Flores-Ruiz’s alleged abuse were in the courtroom, adding emotional weight to the controversy.
Dugan’s legal team, including prominent attorneys Craig Mastantuono and Steve Biskupic, insists she “regrets and protests her arrest,” arguing it was not in the interest of public safety. They claim Dugan, a 2016-elected judge with a history at Legal Aid Society and Catholic Charities, is committed to due process and will be exonerated. However, the Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended her on April 30 to protect public trust, a move that further fueled the firestorm.
The case has polarized opinions. Republicans like Wisconsin Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August praised the FBI, while Democrats, including Senator Tammy Baldwin, called the arrest a “gravely serious” threat to democracy, accusing the Trump administration of undermining the judiciary. Protesters rallied outside the FBI’s Milwaukee office, chanting “Free the judge now,” while X posts reflected the divide, with some users like @ProfMJCleveland slamming Dugan for prioritizing a “domestic abuser” over victims.
As Dugan awaits her May 15 arraignment, speculation swirls about the broader implications. Will this case embolden further action against judges perceived as obstructing Trump’s immigration crackdown, or will it galvanize resistance against what critics call an overreach? With Flores-Ruiz detained and facing domestic abuse charges, the saga continues to captivate and divide, raising questions about justice, power, and the rule of law in a deeply polarized nation.
Sources: BBC, The Washington Post, PBS News, Fox News, AP News
