The FBI arrests a judge who allegedly obstructed the arrest of a migrant
The FBI reported the arrest of a judge who allegedly obstructed the arrest of a migrant during a court hearing.
Amid scrutiny from the Trump administration over the conduct of judges in immigration cases, the FBI reported the arrest of a judge who allegedly obstructed the detention of a migrant during a court hearing.
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the agency arrested Judge Hannah Dugan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on charges of interfering with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation. Patel stated that evidence shows Judge Dugan “obstructed an immigration enforcement operation last week.”
“We believe Judge Dugan intentionally diverted federal agents from their target, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, who was scheduled to be arrested in her courtroom. This allowed the individual—an undocumented immigrant—to evade capture,” Patel said.
“Fortunately, our officers pursued the subject on foot and he has remained in custody since then, but the judge’s interference heightened the risk to public safety,” he added.
Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction — after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 25, 2025
We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be…
Is it legal for ICE to arrest undocumented immigrants in courthouses?
Since taking office, the Trump administration has expanded the authority of immigration agents. For instance, undocumented immigrants can now be detained in “sensitive” locations such as churches and schools—an approach that has also been extended to courthouses and their surrounding areas.
On January 21, ICE announced that officers may conduct civil immigration enforcement actions at or near courthouses.
However, the agency specifies that such arrests are permitted only “when credible information indicates that the individual or individuals in question are or will be present at a specific location, and when no local laws prohibit civil immigration enforcement in that jurisdiction.”
ICE also states that, when feasible, arrests near courthouses should be carried out discreetly—in non-public areas, in coordination with court security staff, and through non-public entrances and exits.
UPDATE: AP reporting that Judge Dugan has been released.
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@QasimRashid) April 25, 2025
Keep watching this space. This was a test to see how far they can push the Overton window. Expect this fascist regime to try this again and more aggressively.
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) notes that the ICE Director may delegate the authority to Deputy Field Office Directors and Assistant Special Agents in Charge to make case-by-case decisions about whether, where, and when to detain individuals in or near sensitive areas.
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