Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan faces serious obstruction charges after allegedly helping an illegal immigrant evade federal authorities in a case that has now resulted in a guilty plea and potential deportation for the man she tried to shield.
Key Takeaways
- Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national, has agreed to plead guilty to illegally entering the United States and faces up to two years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
- Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested for obstruction after allegedly attempting to help Flores-Ruiz avoid arrest by ICE agents.
- Flores-Ruiz first entered the US illegally in January 2013, was immediately deported, but later returned unlawfully.
- As part of his plea agreement signed on June 20, Flores-Ruiz has agreed to deportation after serving any prison sentence.
- The case highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding sanctuary policies and judicial involvement in immigration enforcement.
Illegal Immigrant Signs Plea Agreement in Wisconsin Federal Court
Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, the illegal immigrant at the center of a controversial case involving a Wisconsin judge, has agreed to plead guilty to illegally entering the United States. The plea agreement, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on June 23, outlines serious consequences for Flores-Ruiz, including potential imprisonment, hefty fines, and eventual deportation. This development comes after his April 18 arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, an arrest that became highly contentious due to alleged judicial interference.
“The illegal immigrant whom Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan is accused of helping evade arrest has accepted a plea deal in which he admitted to entering the United States illegally,” said The Epoch Times.
According to court records, Flores-Ruiz is a Mexican citizen who first illegally crossed the U.S. border in Arizona on January 15, 2013. He was immediately apprehended and deported the following day but subsequently returned to the United States unlawfully. The terms of his plea agreement are severe, reflecting the Biden administration’s continued failure to secure our southern border while simultaneously prosecuting those who have already entered illegally. Flores-Ruiz now faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a supervised release term of one year.
HAPPENING NOW: A Wisconsin judge accused of helping a man evade U.S. immigration authorities is set to appear in federal court.https://t.co/B1nBtzs5wv
— 620 WTMJ (@620wtmj) May 15, 2025
Judge’s Alleged Obstruction Adds Layer of Controversy
The case gained national attention not just for the immigration violation, but for the shocking allegations against Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan. On the same day as Flores-Ruiz’s arrest, Judge Dugan herself was taken into custody on obstruction charges after allegedly attempting to help the illegal immigrant evade federal authorities. This unprecedented situation has raised serious questions about judicial ethics and the extent to which some officials may be actively undermining federal immigration enforcement efforts, effectively creating sanctuary jurisdictions despite clear federal laws.
The collision between a sitting judge and federal immigration authorities underscores the deeply problematic nature of sanctuary policies that have proliferated under the Biden administration. While President Trump has vowed to end such policies and restore proper enforcement of immigration laws, this case demonstrates how deeply entrenched opposition to immigration enforcement has become in certain jurisdictions. Judge Dugan’s alleged actions represent an extreme example of the resistance some officials have shown toward cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
Deportation and Legal Consequences
As part of his plea agreement, Flores-Ruiz has explicitly agreed to deportation following any prison sentence he may receive. The court documents state that he “knowingly and voluntarily agrees to be deported and removed from the United States following the completion of any term of imprisonment” stated court documents.
This agreement effectively closes one chapter of this controversial case, though Judge Dugan’s legal situation remains unresolved. The case serves as a stark reminder of the broken immigration system that continues to plague our nation despite President Trump’s efforts to secure the border and restore law and order. The fact that a sitting judge would allegedly interfere with federal authorities carrying out their lawful duties demonstrates the depths of resistance to immigration enforcement that exists within parts of our judicial system. As this case proceeds, it will likely serve as an important reference point in ongoing debates about immigration enforcement.
