Wisconsin Judge's Trial Sparks Controversy Over Immigration Policies

Mon Dec 15 2025 13:20:09 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Federal prosecutors are set to present their case against Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, accused of obstructing the arrest of a Mexican immigrant amidst heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan faces trial for allegedly helping a Mexican immigrant evade federal authorities. The case has ignited a political firestorm reflecting the tensions over immigration policies during Trump's presidency. Accused of obstruction and concealment, Dugan claims she was following courthouse procedures that protect individuals in nonpublic areas. The trial showcases the ongoing conflict between local judicial actions and federal immigration enforcement practices.

MADISON, Wis. — The trial of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan begins this week, as federal prosecutors aim to prove that she obstructed the arrests of an undocumented immigrant in the courtroom.

Dugan faces charges of obstruction and concealment for allegedly aiding a Mexican immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, during his scheduled court hearing in April, where he was set to face battery charges. Her actions have drawn scrutiny amid increasing federal immigration enforcement.

According to an FBI affidavit, federal agents were present to arrest Flores-Ruiz during the court session, but Dugan instructed them to wait outside the courtroom. She is accused of misleading agents by escorting Flores-Ruiz out through a back door, avoiding the potential arrest. Following her actions, agents pursued Flores-Ruiz outside the building, ultimately arresting him after a brief foot chase.

The trial not only highlights Dugan's case but has stirred wider discussions about the implications of local judicial authority versus aggressive immigration enforcement policies pushed during the Trump administration. Critics suggest this trial may serve as an example to deter judicial objections to federal immigration actions.

Prosecutors plan to present over two dozen witnesses, with Dugan's defense arguing that her actions were within courthouse protocols regarding immigration arrests.

This politically charged case reflects broader issues currently faced across the United States regarding immigration, judicial independence, and the application of federal law.