• Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan faces trial for alleged obstruction of immigration enforcement.
• Prosecutors claim she aided a migrant's escape from arrest during a court appearance.
• Dugan contends she was following courthouse policy regarding immigration arrests.
• If convicted, she faces a potential six-year prison sentence.
• The case tests the limits of judicial authority under the Trump administration's immigration policies.

The federal trial for Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan began on December 15, 2025, with charges stemming from accusations that she helped an undocumented man evade arrest by federal immigration authorities. Specifically, prosecutors allege that Dugan obstructed federal proceedings when, during a court appearance, she directed the man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, to exit through a non-public door to avoid U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents waiting to arrest him, according to abcnews, reuters, latimes, and aljazeera.

During the trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Alexander stated that Dugan expressed a willingness to "take the heat" for her actions, emphasizing that her conduct contradicts her duties as a judge sworn to uphold the law. The prosecution outlined that Dugan's directives effectively divided the law enforcement team and hindered their ability to perform their duties, according to abcnews and reuters.

Dugan's defense argues she acted in accordance with courtroom policies that require notifying a supervisor when federal agents are present, aiming to protect the judicial process from external disruptions. Her legal team also highlighted controversies surrounding previous courthouse immigration arrests that influenced her response during Flores-Ruiz's hearing, according to latimes and aljazeera.

If convicted, Dugan faces up to six years in prison on charges of obstruction and concealment. Flores-Ruiz was eventually apprehended following a chase after leaving the courthouse and has since been deported, highlighting the ongoing tensions regarding immigration enforcement and judicial actions under the Trump administration’s policies, according to reuters and latimes.