A federal courtroom in Wisconsin became the focus of national attention this week as a sitting Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge went on trial, accused of obstructing federal immigration enforcement during an incident earlier this year.
Judge Hannah Dugan is facing a felony obstruction charge stemming from allegations that she helped a defendant avoid arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents inside the Milwaukee County Courthouse on April 18, 2025. Prosecutors argue that her actions interfered with a lawful federal operation, while the defense maintains that no laws were violated and that the agents themselves mishandled the situation.
According to federal prosecutors, ICE agents were present at the courthouse to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national accused of misdemeanor battery and previously deported from the United States. Authorities allege that Judge Dugan became aware of the agents’ presence before the scheduled court hearing and reacted with visible frustration when encountering federal personnel in a courthouse hallway.
Courtroom audio and surveillance footage introduced during the trial reportedly show that Judge Dugan informed Flores-Ruiz’s attorney about the agents waiting outside and directed both the attorney and defendant to exit through a restricted area rather than a public corridor. Prosecutors contend this decision allowed Flores-Ruiz to temporarily evade arrest, forcing agents to pursue him outside the building, where he was later detained following a brief chase.
Federal witnesses testified that courthouse arrests are considered low-risk and routine, noting that agents were dressed in plain clothes and had coordinated with courthouse security. ICE officials also stated that an administrative arrest warrant had been approved the day before the hearing, citing Flores-Ruiz’s immigration status and criminal history.
However, during cross-examination, defense attorneys highlighted inconsistencies in the government’s paperwork, including errors in the description of Flores-Ruiz’s prior offenses. The defense also emphasized that ICE agents did not possess a judicial warrant and failed to arrest the defendant even when he passed through public areas of the courthouse.
Attorneys for Judge Dugan argue that her actions were consistent with courthouse policy and judicial independence, pointing out that local authorities do not honor immigration detainers without court-issued warrants. They further questioned why agents allowed Flores-Ruiz to leave the courtroom area unchallenged if an immediate arrest was truly intended.
The trial, overseen by U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman, is expected to continue over the coming days with additional testimony and evidence review. Legal experts say the case could have broader implications for the relationship between federal immigration enforcement and local judicial authority.
As proceedings unfold, the outcome may help define the limits of judicial discretion and federal power within state court systems, an issue that continues to spark debate across the country.
