A Milwaukee judge was convicted on felony obstruction charges for deliberately helping an illegal alien escape federal immigration authorities, exposing how activist judges have weaponized their positions to undermine immigration enforcement.
Story Highlights
- Judge Hannah Dugan was found guilty of felony obstruction for helping an illegal alien evade an ICE arrest
- Dugan escorted Eduardo Flores-Ruiz through the secret jury door while federal agents waited to arrest him
- Judge suspended from bench after arrest, rejected multiple immunity claims during trial
- The case represents a broader pattern of judicial activism undermining federal immigration law
Judge Convicted for Obstructing Federal Immigration Operation
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was convicted on felony obstruction charges after a federal jury found she deliberately interfered with immigration authorities attempting to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an illegal alien, at her courthouse.
The conviction followed a four-day trial in Milwaukee federal court, where prosecutors demonstrated Dugan’s intentional actions to help Flores-Ruiz evade federal agents. While acquitted on a misdemeanor concealment charge, the felony conviction represents a significant victory for immigration law enforcement.
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
Detailed Evidence Reveals Calculated Interference
FBI testimony revealed Dugan’s systematic effort to obstruct the federal operation. According to sworn statements, federal immigration agents positioned themselves in the courthouse hallway to arrest Flores-Ruiz following his court appearance. Instead of allowing normal proceedings, Dugan directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through the jury door, which leads to nonpublic areas of the courthouse away from waiting agents.
This deliberate circumvention of standard courthouse procedures enabled Flores-Ruiz to temporarily evade arrest, forcing agents into a foot chase before apprehending him outside the building.
Failed Immunity Claims Expose Judicial Overreach
Dugan repeatedly sought to dismiss the charges by claiming judicial immunity, arguing that her actions fell within her official duties as a state court judge. Federal courts rejected these claims multiple times, recognizing that helping individuals evade federal law enforcement exceeds any legitimate judicial authority.
Her legal team’s argument that “top levels of government” orchestrated charges against her failed to convince jurors who heard evidence of deliberate obstruction. Even a judicial colleague testified for the prosecution, expressing shock at Dugan’s unprofessional behavior during the incident.
Conviction Signals Accountability for Activist Judges
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that Dugan “betrayed her oath and the people she served” by prioritizing illegal immigration advocacy over legal obligations.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Dugan from the bench following her April arrest, with Chief Judge Carl Ashley transferring her docket to reserve judges.
Flores-Ruiz has since been deported as originally intended by federal authorities. This conviction establishes an important precedent that judicial positions cannot shield activist judges who deliberately obstruct federal immigration enforcement, protecting the rule of law against political interference.
