Former Wisconsin Judge Fined $5K After Obstructing ICE Arrest
Hannah Dugan was fined $5,000 after conviction for blocking ICE arrest at courthouse.
Why it matters: Legal professionals face ethical hurdles navigating federal immigration enforcement, especially in judicial roles. This case spotlights risks for judges and lawyers who challenge ICE actions within courthouses.
- Hannah Dugan convicted in Dec 2025 for felony obstruction of ICE agents at Milwaukee courthouse.
- July 2026 court ruling fined Dugan $5,000; no prison time despite 15-21 months recommended sentence.
- Dugan resigned in Jan 2026 amid backlash after conviction and threats.
- Defendant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, whom Dugan helped evade arrest, was deported in Nov 2025.
On April 18, 2025, former Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan intervened during an attempt by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz inside the Milwaukee County Courthouse. This action led to her conviction for felony obstruction in December 2025, as reported by AP News.
Despite federal sentencing guidelines recommending 15 to 21 months in prison, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman sentenced Dugan on July 8, 2026, to pay a $5,000 fine without incarceration. Judge Adelman noted, "I think this is a situation where an otherwise good person, upset by immigration policies in this country, made a bad decision in the moment."
Dugan resigned from her judicial post in January 2026 under political pressure and threats following her conviction, according to Justice Department records. The immigrant Dugan aided, Flores-Ruiz, was deported in November 2025.
Richard Frohling, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney, emphasized judicial accountability: "Judges are entrusted with tremendous discretion, but there is a line they cannot cross. The defendant crossed that line." Meanwhile, Dugan maintained her stance stating, "I have been cast as both a scofflaw and a hero. I am neither. I am a public servant who’s just trying to do my job."
This case highlights the legal and ethical complexities judges and legal professionals face amid tensions over federal immigration enforcement within court settings, with significant repercussions for those who interfere with law enforcement actions.
By the numbers:
- $5,000 — Fine imposed on Hannah Dugan.
- 15 to 21 months — Prison term recommended by federal guidelines.
- November 2025 — Deportation of Eduardo Flores-Ruiz.