A Milwaukee judge’s felony conviction for helping an illegal alien escape federal arrest exposes how activist judges have weaponized their positions to obstruct immigration enforcement and undermine the rule of law.
Story Highlights
- Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was convicted of felony obstruction for helping an illegal alien evade ICE agents
- The judge used the jury door to secretly escort Eduardo Flores-Ruiz through non-public courthouse areas while agents waited to arrest him
- Dugan’s failed claims of judicial immunity highlight abuse of official position to protect immigration violators
- Deputy Attorney General confirms judge “betrayed her oath” as Trump administration signals renewed commitment to immigration enforcement
Judge Abuses Position to Shield Immigration Violator
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan deliberately obstructed federal immigration enforcement by helping Eduardo Flores-Ruiz escape arrest through secret courthouse passages. FBI agents documented how Dugan directed the illegal alien and his attorney through the jury door, which leads to restricted areas of the courthouse, while federal immigration officials waited in the hallway to execute a lawful arrest.
This calculated interference with federal law enforcement operations represents a stunning abuse of judicial authority to protect someone who had no legal right to remain in the United States.
A Milwaukee judge has been found guilty of obstruction for helping a migrant evade arrest, the AP reports. https://t.co/LVBcetoL8L
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 19, 2025
Failed Claims of Immunity Expose Judicial Overreach
Dugan repeatedly sought to dismiss the charges against her by claiming judicial immunity, arguing that she acted within her official duties as a state court judge. Federal courts correctly rejected these claims, recognizing that assisting criminals in evading arrest falls far outside legitimate judicial functions.
Her colleague’s testimony, expressing shock at Dugan’s behavior, further undermines any suggestion that this was normal judicial conduct. The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Dugan from the bench following her arrest, acknowledging the severity of her misconduct and its incompatibility with judicial service.
Federal Conviction Sends Clear Message on Immigration Enforcement
The four-day federal trial concluded with Dugan’s conviction on felony obstruction charges, though she was acquitted on the misdemeanor count of concealing an individual.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that Dugan “betrayed her oath and the people she served,” highlighting how activist judges have prioritized illegal immigration over their sworn duties. Eduardo Flores-Ruiz has since been deported after his courthouse escape attempt failed, with agents pursuing him on foot following his exit from the building.
Trump Administration Signals Renewed Immigration Enforcement Priority
This conviction arrives as President Trump’s administration prepares to restore robust immigration enforcement after years of Biden-era policies that encouraged defiance of sanctuary jurisdictions. Dugan’s case exemplifies how some judges weaponized their positions to obstruct federal immigration law during the previous administration’s weak enforcement period.
The successful prosecution demonstrates federal authorities’ renewed commitment to holding accountable those who interfere with lawful immigration operations, regardless of their official position or claims of immunity.
