Arrest Details

Milwaukee – Federal agents arrested Judge Hannah Dugan on April 25, 2025, amid serious accusations regarding her involvement in immigration enforcement matters at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.

Judge Dugan now faces charges of obstructing the arrest of an undocumented immigrant, which she allegedly assisted in avoiding. She has since been released from federal custody after a brief appearance before a judge.

The Eduardo Flores-Ruiz Case

The situation came to light when 29-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national with a prior deportation in 2013, was set to appear in Dugan’s court for a misdemeanor battery case. Events escalated on that day as Dugan reportedly learned of the presence of ICE agents near the courthouse.

According to federal prosecutors, a public defender alerted Dugan’s clerk about the agents. Dugan then confronted the ICE officers and directed them to the chief judge’s office. Following this, she allegedly escorted Flores-Ruiz and his legal counsel into a non-public area of the courthouse, allowing him to evade arrest temporarily.

Court Proceedings and Reactions

Following her arrest, Judge Dugan was brought before a magistrate judge where she faced two felony charges. The hearing lasted just a few minutes, and Dugan left the courthouse with the support of a gathered crowd. She is scheduled for a return to court on May 15, and federal prosecutors are considering further actions against her.

Chief Judge Carl Ashley released a statement indicating that another judge would take over Dugan’s responsibilities during this legal matter as he refrained from commenting on the ongoing situation.

Community and Political Reactions

The arrest has sparked intense discussions around immigration enforcement and judicial responsibility, drawing attention from local and national officials. For a comprehensive overview of official responses, you can check out the [article’s full list](https://www.fox6now.com/news/fbi-arrests-milwaukee-judge-hannah-dugan-reaction).

Background

Judge Dugan has been a circuit court judge since 2016 and was re-elected in 2022. The community’s response, both supportive and critical, reflects the contentious nature of immigration issues today.