Judge Who Hid Illegal from ICE Gets Worst News of Her Career
A Milwaukee County judge accused of helping an illegal alien evade arrest cannot shield herself with judicial immunity, a federal judge has ruled—setting the stage for a trial that could have sweeping implications for accountability on the bench.
U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman denied Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan’s request to dismiss charges by claiming her actions were protected under “judicial immunity.” Adelman determined that her alleged conduct—interfering with a federal arrest and assisting a defendant in avoiding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—fell outside the lawful protections normally granted to judges.
“Ultimately, as the Supreme Court has stated, ‘the official seeking absolute immunity bears the burden of showing that such immunity is justified for the function in question,’” Adelman wrote. “I cannot say as a matter of law that the defendant’s alleged conduct falls within even this more limited version of immunity.”
Dugan was indicted in April after an incident at the Milwaukee County Courthouse involving Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a foreign national facing multiple battery charges. Prosecutors allege Dugan learned that plainclothes ICE agents were waiting to detain Flores-Ruiz. Instead of holding a scheduled hearing, she allegedly confronted the agents, insisted they needed a judicial warrant, then directed the defendant and his attorney to exit through a back door to avoid federal detection. Flores-Ruiz was ultimately arrested later that day by ICE.
Defense attorneys maintain that Dugan was acting in her judicial capacity and argued that charging her violates the Tenth Amendment and separation of powers. They claimed her immunity covers courtroom decisions unless tied to outright bribery or intentional constitutional violations. Adelman rejected that argument, writing: “There is no basis for granting immunity simply because some of the allegations in the indictment describe conduct that could be considered ‘part of a judge’s job.’”
The ruling allows the case to proceed, with a hearing scheduled for Oct. 3. Prosecutors and defense attorneys both expressed interest in beginning trial proceedings before year’s end, though no trial date has yet been set.
The rare prosecution of a sitting judge for allegedly obstructing immigration enforcement has drawn national attention. Legal observers note the case could set a precedent for limiting judicial immunity when judges actively undermine federal law enforcement operations.
Flores-Ruiz remains in ICE custody as immigration proceedings continue. Local authorities have not clarified the status of his criminal charges in Milwaukee. If convicted, Dugan could face fines or prison time, depending on trial outcomes.