In a recent interview, former ICE Director and Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, made it clear: the arrest of two judges accused of helping undocumented immigrants avoid ICE was bound to happen. “No one should be surprised,” Homan said, reinforcing his long-standing warnings about interfering with immigration enforcement.
The arrests took place in New Mexico and Wisconsin. One of the judges, 65-year-old Hannah Dugan of Milwaukee County, was taken into custody at the courthouse last Friday. She’s now facing two felony charges — one for obstructing a federal agency, and another for hiding someone from arrest. If convicted, she could face up to 12 years in prison and a hefty $350,000 in fines.
According to the complaint, Judge Dugan allegedly helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, avoid arrest after a court hearing. Flores-Ruiz, who faces multiple battery charges, was later arrested a few blocks away after ICE agents pursued him outside the courthouse.
Photos of Dugan’s arrest circulated online, along with statements from officials like FBI Director Kash Patel, who accused the judge of lying to federal agents to protect Flores-Ruiz.
Meanwhile, in New Mexico, former Judge Joel Cano and his wife were also arrested. They’re accused of hiding an undocumented immigrant reportedly linked to the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, which the Trump administration has labeled a terrorist organization — similar to MS-13. Authorities also found photos suggesting the Canos provided firearms to the individual in question.
Tom Homan took to social media to address both cases, writing, “I’ve said this before — you can support immigration reform, but you can’t break the law doing it. Judges aren’t above the law.”
Homan warned that anyone, regardless of status or politics, who knowingly helps undocumented immigrants avoid arrest or obstructs federal enforcement efforts, could face serious consequences.
Backing him up, Attorney General Pam Bondi shared more shocking details about Judge Dugan’s conduct. According to Bondi, Dugan became visibly angry with ICE agents during the incident and even instructed them to speak with the chief judge. But it didn’t stop there — she reportedly led the defendant and his attorney through a private exit, helping them avoid arrest, while the prosecutor and victims of domestic violence remained waiting in the courtroom.
“She was visibly upset, yelling at ICE officers, and then took matters into her own hands,” Bondi said in an interview. “This is not just unprofessional — it’s outrageous.”