Federal authorities arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, charging her with obstruction and concealing an individual, following allegations that she helped an undocumented immigrant evade US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in her courtroom. The immigrant, identified as Eduardo Flores Ruiz, was reportedly facing misdemeanor battery charges when the incident occurred.
Last week, when federal agents arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to make the arrest, Judge Dugan allegedly redirected them to her office and allowed Ruiz to slip out a side entrance.
“We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject — an illegal alien — to evade arrest,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a social media post that was initially deleted, the reposted a short time later. “Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot and he’s been in custody since, but the Judge’s obstruction created increased danger to the public.”
Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction — after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week.
We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 25, 2025
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“I can confirm that our [FBI] agents just arrested Hannah Dugan – a county judge in Milwaukee – for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid an arrest by [ICE],” Attorney Genral Pam Bondi wrote in a separate statement. “No one is above the law.”
I can confirm that our @FBI agents just arrested Hannah Dugan – a county judge in Milwaukee – for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid an arrest by @ICEgov.
No one is above the law.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) April 25, 2025
The Justice Department has yet to release court records related to Dugan’s case, and officials have declined further comment as the investigation remains active. Dugan’s attorney stated that she regrets and protests the arrest, asserting it was not made in the interest of public safety. Dugan, a nine-year veteran of the bench, contends that no warrant was presented to her at the time.
This marks the first known prosecution of a local official under the Trump administration’s pledge to pursue criminal charges against those seen as obstructing federal immigration enforcement. The incident has fueled tensions between local judiciaries and federal authorities, particularly as some judges across the country have criticized ICE’s courthouse enforcement tactics, arguing they discourage immigrant victims and witnesses from participating in legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, in New Mexico, former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, have been arrested after federal agents discovered they were harboring Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a suspected member of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. Both have been charged with evidence tampering and are currently in custody at the Dona Ana County Jail, where they are being held without bond.
Ortega-Lopez, who had illegally entered the United States and was released due to overcrowding at a Texas facility, was initially hired for handyman work by the Canos and later moved into a casita behind their home in Las Cruces.
Evidence gathered by authorities, including gang clothing, tattoos, voicemails, text messages, and social media posts, linked Ortega-Lopez to the Tren de Aragua gang—a group considered a foreign terrorist organization. Disturbingly, images surfaced showing Ortega-Lopez posing with firearms owned by the Canos’ daughter. This discovery led to the seizure of multiple weapons and additional federal charges against Ortega-Lopez for illegal firearm possession.
“Initially, we came back here to arrest his wife, and as we started conducting our interviews and started looking at evidence, we subsequently arrested Mr. Cano as well,” said Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, adding that two other suspects were believed to have been staying with the judge’s family. “All three of them, we believe, are alleged members of [Tren de Aragua]. Obviously, we continue just to focus on the totality of the investigation instead of just zeroing out on them.”
Further investigations revealed that other undocumented individuals suspected of gang affiliations were also living at the Cano residence. Joel Cano, a former police officer and a Democrat, resigned in early March after Ortega-Lopez was first discovered at their residence. The state Supreme Court has permanently barred him from holding judicial office in New Mexico.
“Nobody should be surprised by the arrest of two judges,” said border czar Tom Homan. “I have said many times within the past few months, that people can choose to support illegal immigration and not assist ICE in removing criminal illegal aliens from our communities, BUT DON’T CROSS THAT LINE. If you actively impede our enforcement efforts or if you knowingly harbor or conceal illegal aliens from ICE you will be prosecuted. These actions are felonies. More to come…”
Nobody should be surprised by the arrest of two judges. I have said many times within the past few months, that people can choose to support illegal immigration and not assist ICE in removing criminal illegal aliens from our communities, BUT DON’T CROSS THAT LINE. If you…
— Thomas D. Homan (@RealTomHoman) April 25, 2025
Connor Walcott is the lead writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
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