She Protected an Immigrant in Her Courtroom. Now She’s Facing Federal Charges — Who Is Judge Hannah Dugan?

Judge Hannah Dugan thought she was upholding the rule of law. The federal government says she committed a crime. Now, one of Wisconsin’s most respected judges is at the center of a legal and political storm that could redefine the limits of courtroom power—and immigrant protection.

Who Is Hannah Dugan?

According to NBC News, Hannah Dugan has been a long-standing advocate for social justice. Before she was elected to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in 2016, she spent her career working with marginalized communities—from domestic violence survivors to older people to low-income families seeking legal aid.

She worked for the Legal Aid Society, led projects addressing housing and public benefits, and even served as executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, where she helped resettle refugees. As she once told the Milwaukee Independent: “Nonprofit work is a great avenue to work for justice.”

Dugan was re-elected to a second six-year term in 2022. In her own words, “Justice is hard work. I love the challenge of such hard work.”

What Exactly Is Hannah Dugan Accused Of?

The FBI arrested Dugan on April 25. She faces federal charges for allegedly helping a man in her courtroom, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, evade detention by ICE agents who were waiting outside her courtroom with an administrative warrant.

According to a criminal complaint cited by NBC News, Dugan escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out a side door on April 18—bypassing federal agents stationed at the main exit. The man was reportedly in court on a misdemeanor battery charge and living in the U.S. without legal status. ICE agents detained him shortly afterward.

The arrest has sparked immediate backlash. Protesters gathered outside the courthouse, holding signs that read “Due process is not negotiable” and “Drop the charges.” Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera, told NBC News: “She’s someone who acted on her conscience and was standing up for due process rights.”

The Charges Against Her Are Serious—But So Is the Backlash

Federal officials have charged Dugan with obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent an arrest. However, critics argue that the government is going too far. According to The Guardian, ICE did not have a judicial warrant—only an administrative one, which does not carry the same legal weight.

Wisconsin State Representative Ryan Clancy told NPR that Dugan “stood up for our community.” He added: “A functioning democracy does not arrest sitting judges for doing their job… This is incredibly unprecedented.”

Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi called Dugan “a criminal judge sitting on a criminal bench,” according to ABC News. She claimed the arrest sends a clear message: “No one is above the law.”

Hannah Dugan’s Defense Team Reads Like a Legal Dream Team

As reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dugan has retained what some are calling an “all-star” legal defense. Leading her team is Steven Biskupic, a former U.S. attorney appointed by George W. Bush. Joining him is Paul Clement, former U.S. Solicitor General, known for arguing more than 100 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He’s even been called “the LeBron James of lawyers.”

The defense also includes Jason Luczak and Nicole Masnica from Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, as well as Craig Mastantuono, a prominent Milwaukee defense attorney. Her next court appearance is scheduled for May 15.

Why the Arrest of Hannah Dugan Has People Worried

Legal scholars and activists argue that this isn’t just about one judge or one undocumented man—it’s about what comes next. In an op-ed for MSNBC, law professor Ray Brescia warned: “Today it is a judge who is alleged to have frustrated a law enforcement operation; tomorrow it might be a plaintiff or lawyer who seeks to file a case against the administration.”

ICE arrests in courthouses are already known to discourage immigrants from showing up to court, whether as defendants or victims. Now, Brescia says, even judges might hesitate to protect due process.

Moira Donegan wrote in The Guardian that the arrest was meant to “frighten Americans into submission,” calling Dugan’s prosecution “political.” In her words: “What Dugan allegedly did, whether or not it was technically legal, was supremely moral, and not a little bit brave.”

What Comes Next for Judge Hannah Dugan?

A reserve judge is now handling Dugan’s cases, according to ABC News. The Trump administration, meanwhile, has stayed mostly silent—except for a now-deleted tweet by FBI Director Kash Patel gloating about Dugan’s arrest.

For now, Dugan remains out on bond. Her courtroom sign still hangs above the door. But her actions—and the government’s response—have ignited a fierce debate about power, policy, and who gets to decide what justice looks like in America.