Ex-judge fined $5,000 for helping Mexican immigrant evade ICE

Ex-Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan was sentenced to a $5,000 fine and avoided prison for obstructing an ICE arrest of a Mexican immigrant, sparking debate over judicial independence and immigration enforcement.

The Incident

On April 18, 2025, ICE agents arrived at the Milwaukee County courthouse to arrest Eduardo Flores Ruiz, a Mexican immigrant who had re-entered the U.S. illegally. Dugan confronted the agents, argued their administrative order was insufficient, and then escorted Flores Ruiz out a private jury door. Agents pursued and arrested him outside. Dugan was arrested by the FBI a week later and charged with obstruction Source: infobae.

The Sentence

In December 2025, a jury convicted Dugan of obstruction of justice, a felony. On July 8, 2026, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman sentenced her to a $5,000 fine, rejecting prosecutors' request for prison time. Adelman noted Dugan's actions were "a few minutes of conduct" from a life dedicated to service and that they did not prevent the arrest Source: CNN. Dugan had resigned in January 2026 amid threats of impeachment.

Reactions

Prosecutors argued Dugan "crossed a line" and abused her authority Source: CNN. Her defense claimed the Trump administration sought to "crush" her to enforce immigration tactics Source: CNN. Republican Representative Tom Tiffany called for her imprisonment. Dugan stated, "I am neither a lawbreaker nor a hero. I am a public servant trying to do my job" Source: infobae.