A federal jury in Milwaukee began hearing evidence Monday in the obstruction trial of Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, accused of diverting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents so that a Mexican defendant in her courtroom could slip out a side door last April. Prosecutors say Dugan told courthouse staff she would “get the heat,” then personally escorted the man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, away from a hallway where agents waited. She faces charges of concealing a person from arrest and obstructing federal proceedings under 18 U.S.C. § 1505.
The Trump administration has made high-profile examples of officials it claims hinder federal immigration enforcement, and the case is seen as a bellwether for how far the government can go in prosecuting local judges. Opening statements highlighted a video clip in which Dugan allegedly questioned ICE’s authority to make civil arrests without a judicial warrant inside a state courthouse. Defense counsel argues she merely followed court policy directing staff to report the presence of federal agents to the chief judge.
![Wisconsin judge goes on trial for allegedly helping migrant evade ICE arrest]()
For companies that routinely send foreign employees to court—whether for traffic matters, civil testimony or name changes—the trial underscores the growing likelihood of ICE presence in judicial settings. Corporate mobility managers should advise foreign nationals to travel with immigration documentation at all times and to alert counsel if subpoenas or court dates arise.
At this juncture, companies and individuals looking to verify that their immigration paperwork is in perfect order can turn to VisaHQ. Through its online platform—https://www.visahq.com/united-states/—the service expedites visa applications, tracks renewals and provides country-specific entry guidance, reducing the risk that an employee will appear in court without the proper documentation.
A conviction could carry up to five years in prison, raising fears among immigrant-friendly jurisdictions that judges might overcorrect by facilitating arrests to avoid legal exposure. The U.S. Judicial Conference has warned that aggressive courthouse operations can deter victims and witnesses from seeking justice, but DHS officials maintain that courthouses are “target-rich, controlled environments.” The jury is expected to deliberate later this week.
The Trump administration has made high-profile examples of officials it claims hinder federal immigration enforcement, and the case is seen as a bellwether for how far the government can go in prosecuting local judges. Opening statements highlighted a video clip in which Dugan allegedly questioned ICE’s authority to make civil arrests without a judicial warrant inside a state courthouse. Defense counsel argues she merely followed court policy directing staff to report the presence of federal agents to the chief judge.
For companies that routinely send foreign employees to court—whether for traffic matters, civil testimony or name changes—the trial underscores the growing likelihood of ICE presence in judicial settings. Corporate mobility managers should advise foreign nationals to travel with immigration documentation at all times and to alert counsel if subpoenas or court dates arise.
At this juncture, companies and individuals looking to verify that their immigration paperwork is in perfect order can turn to VisaHQ. Through its online platform—https://www.visahq.com/united-states/—the service expedites visa applications, tracks renewals and provides country-specific entry guidance, reducing the risk that an employee will appear in court without the proper documentation.
A conviction could carry up to five years in prison, raising fears among immigrant-friendly jurisdictions that judges might overcorrect by facilitating arrests to avoid legal exposure. The U.S. Judicial Conference has warned that aggressive courthouse operations can deter victims and witnesses from seeking justice, but DHS officials maintain that courthouses are “target-rich, controlled environments.” The jury is expected to deliberate later this week.
