“No One Is Above the Law”: AG Bondi Slams Judges Arrested for Aiding Undocumented Immigrants

file photo AG Bondi

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, two judges—one current, one former—are facing serious federal charges after allegedly helping undocumented immigrants evade law enforcement. In a major development that has sparked debate nationwide, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan and former New Mexico Magistrate Judge Joel Cano were arrested Friday on charges related to obstruction of justice and evidence tampering.

Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed the media, making it clear: “No one is above the law—not even a judge.”

Arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan: Obstruction Allegations

Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested Friday by FBI agents at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. She faces two federal charges:

• Obstructing and impeding a proceeding before a U.S. agency

• Concealing an individual to prevent discovery and arrest

The charges stem from allegations that Dugan helped an undocumented immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, evade ICE agents during a court proceeding. Flores-Ruiz, accused of multiple domestic violence incidents, had a prior Expedited Removal order from 2013.

According to the criminal complaint, Dugan allegedly:

• Became visibly upset when learning ICE officers were present.

• Confronted the arrest team about not having a judicial warrant.

• Directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a secure “jury door” to evade arrest.

• Continued court proceedings without calling the Flores-Ruiz case, while two victims waited in court.

After leaving the courthouse, Flores-Ruiz was briefly pursued by agents before being apprehended.

Bondi emphasized that Dugan’s actions obstructed justice, stating, “Victims sat waiting in that courtroom all morning while the defendant was helped to escape.”

If convicted, Judge Dugan could face up to six years in prison. She was released without bond and has vowed to fight the charges vigorously, retaining high-profile defense attorney Steven Biskupic.

Arrest of Former Judge Joel Cano: Evidence Tampering

In a separate but related case, former New Mexico Judge Joel Cano and his wife Nancy Cano were arrested. Authorities allege they housed a Venezuelan national with suspected gang ties to Tren de Aragua, a notorious criminal organization.

The criminal complaint reveals that Joel Cano admitted to:

• Destroying a cellphone believed to contain incriminating evidence.

• Smashing the phone with a hammer and disposing of it to protect the immigrant.

The immigrant, arrested at the Cano residence, allegedly had firearms-related content on his phone linked to gang activity.

Cano and his wife have yet to enter pleas and currently do not have attorneys listed.

Political Fallout and Public Reactions

The arrests have triggered sharp political debate:

• Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson criticized federal agents for “showboating” and intimidating court participants.

• Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers condemned what he described as an attack on the judiciary by the Trump administration, though he did not directly mention Judge Dugan.

• Attorney General Bondi pushed back against the criticism, stating that the priority is public safety and that harboring violent criminals “cannot be tolerated, no matter the person’s position.”

When pressed about whether other officials—like mayors or governors—could be targeted, Bondi reiterated, “We must protect citizens. Harboring violent criminals is unacceptable.”

Final Thoughts

This controversial situation highlights growing tensions around immigration enforcement, judicial independence, and executive authority. While many see the arrests as necessary to uphold the law, others worry about broader implications for the separation of powers and judicial neutrality.

One thing remains clear: The battle over immigration, public safety, and judicial accountability is far from over.