Milwaukee Judge Arrested Amid Immigration Enforcement Clash


Federal Agents Arrest Judge Charged with obstructing a proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent arrest, Dugan was taken into custody at the Milwaukee County Courthouse where she presides.

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	FBI director Kash Patel arrives on the South Lawn of the White House before President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll, April 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
	Milwaukee Judge Arrested Amid Immigration Enforcement Clash Tanya Sommerfield - Law/Immigration Tell Us USA News Network WASHINGTON – In a dramatic turn of events, U.S. officials arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of obstructing immigration authorities during a contentious courtroom encounter. The arrest has ignited protests and underscored tensions between local officials and the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies. According to the U.S. Justice Department, Dugan allegedly helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a man facing misdemeanor battery charges, evade arrest by directing him through a jury door after immigration agents appeared in her courtroom on April 18. The criminal complaint claims Dugan became "visibly angry" and called the situation "absurd" before escorting Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to a non-public area of the courthouse. Charged with obstructing a proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent arrest, Dugan was taken into custody at the courthouse where she presides. A crowd quickly gathered outside, chanting "Free the judge now," in a show of support for the embattled jurist. FBI Director Kash Patel initially announced the arrest on social media, describing Flores-Ruiz as an "illegal alien" now in custody. However, Patel later deleted the post, raising questions about the handling of the case. The incident highlights the Justice Department's directive for federal prosecutors to pursue cases against local officials who resist immigration enforcement—a hallmark of Trump's presidency. Resistance to these policies was widespread during his first term, with local governments often clashing with federal authorities. Dugan, elected as a county judge in 2016, has a long history of advocacy for vulnerable populations. Before her judicial career, she led Catholic Charities' refugee resettlement programs and worked as a lawyer for the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, serving low-income clients. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how this high-profile arrest will impact the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and the role of local officials in upholding federal mandates.