Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Wisconsin Judge Convicted of Obstructing Immigration Arrest
A judge in Wisconsin named Hannah Dugan was found guilty of helping a migrant named Eduardo Flores-Ruiz avoid being arrested by immigration officers.
The judge was accused of diverting the officers and helping the migrant leave her courtroom through a private exit.
The case is significant because it involves a judge being put on trial for actions taken in her courtroom, reflecting tensions over the Trump administration's immigration policies.
Prosecutors said the judge knew what she was doing, while her lawyers argued she was following courthouse policy.
The migrant was eventually arrested outside the courthouse.
This case is seen as a victory for the Trump administration's efforts to enforce immigration laws, but some activists and judges criticize the presence of immigration officers in courthouses.
Hannah Dugan, a 66-year-old judge, was found guilty of obstructing a federal proceeding related to immigration enforcement.
She was acquitted of a lesser charge of concealing a person from arrest.
Prosecutors alleged Dugan helped a migrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, evade an immigration arrest by diverting federal agents and escorting him out through a private exit.
Dugan's lawyers argued she was following a policy to alert supervisors about ICE's presence in the courthouse.
The case reflects tensions over the Trump administration's use of courthouses for immigration arrests.
- Who
- Hannah Dugan, a 66-year-old elected judge on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court
- What
- Found guilty of obstructing a federal proceeding related to immigration enforcement
- When
- December 18
- Where
- Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
- Why
- Allegedly helped a migrant evade a planned immigration arrest outside her courtroom
- Judge's Name
- Hannah Dugan
- Age
- 66
- Court
- Milwaukee County Circuit Court
- Charges
- Obstructing a federal proceeding, concealing a person from arrest
- Verdict
- Guilty of obstructing a federal proceeding, not guilty of concealing a person from arrest
- Migrant Involved
- Eduardo Flores-Ruiz
- Date of Verdict
- December 18