In a striking escalation of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts, two judges—Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan and former New Mexico Magistrate Judge Joel Cano—were arrested in April 2025 for allegedly aiding undocumented immigrants.
These high-profile cases have sparked intense debate, raising questions about judicial conduct, immigration policy, and the boundaries of federal authority. This article explores the details of the arrests, the individuals involved, the motivations behind the judges’ actions, and what lies ahead for these unprecedented legal battles.
Hannah Dugan and Joel Cano, were arrested days apart in April 2025 for allegedly aiding undocumented immigrants—Dugan by misdirecting federal agents to help Eduardo Flores Ruiz evade arrest, and Cano by destroying evidence to protect Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a suspected gang member.
The Judges and Their Arrests
Hannah Dugan
- Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Arrest Date: April 25, 2025
- Charges: Obstruction of justice
- Details: Dugan, a sitting Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, was arrested by the FBI for allegedly interfering with an immigration arrest operation. According to court documents, she intentionally misdirected federal agents to prevent the apprehension of Eduardo Flores Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant facing charges of domestic battery. Dugan reportedly allowed Ruiz to exit the courthouse through a jury door, enabling his temporary escape. FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest on social media, stating, “Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject—an illegal alien—to evade arrest.”
- Current Status: Dugan was released on bond pending trial. She remains suspended from her judicial duties as the case proceeds in federal court.
Joel Cano and Nancy Cano
- Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Arrest Date: April 24, 2025
- Charges: Evidence tampering, harboring an undocumented immigrant
- Details: Joel Cano, a former Doña Ana County magistrate judge, and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) raid on their home. The couple allegedly harbored Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan national suspected of ties to the Tren de Aragua gang. Court documents reveal that Cano admitted to destroying Ortega’s cellphone, which reportedly contained incriminating photos of Ortega with firearms and images of two decapitated victims. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “Cano took one of the TdA members’ cell phones himself, took it, beat it with a hammer, destroyed it, and then walked the pieces to a city dumpster to dispose of it to protect him.”
- Current Status: Both Joel and Nancy Cano are in federal custody awaiting trial. Joel Cano resigned from his judicial position on March 3, 2025, days after an initial raid on his home.
The Undocumented Immigrants Involved
Eduardo Flores Ruiz
- Location at Time of Incident: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Alleged Gang Affiliation: None confirmed
- Criminal Charges: Domestic battery, assault (state charges for allegedly beating two individuals, including choking one victim and hospitalizing both)
- Current Status: Ruiz was apprehended by federal authorities shortly after evading initial arrest, thanks to Dugan’s alleged intervention. He is currently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and faces deportation proceedings.
- Details: Ruiz, described as an undocumented immigrant, was in Dugan’s courtroom for a hearing related to his domestic violence charges when ICE attempted to arrest him. Dugan’s actions allowed him a brief window to flee, though he was later captured. There is no evidence in court records linking Ruiz to any gang activity.
Cristhian Ortega-Lopez
- Location at Time of Incident: Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Alleged Gang Affiliation: Suspected member of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan transnational gang
- Criminal Charges: Federal charges for illegal firearm possession as an undocumented immigrant (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)), facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted
- Current Status: Ortega-Lopez is detained at the Doña Ana County Detention Center, awaiting trial on federal charges. He has not been deported, as his case is ongoing.
- Details: Ortega was initially hired by Nancy Cano for home repairs and later offered accommodation in the Canos’ guesthouse. Social media posts showing Ortega posing with firearms, some allegedly owned by the Canos’ daughter, April Cano, tipped off federal agents. Four firearms were seized from April’s residence during the investigation.
Why Were the Judges Harboring Undocumented Immigrants?
The motivations behind the judges’ actions remain a point of contention, with limited direct statements from Dugan or Cano due to ongoing legal proceedings. However, contextual clues and legal filings provide some insight:
- Hannah Dugan: Dugan’s background as a former head of Catholic Charities’ Milwaukee branch, which provides refugee resettlement services, and her tenure at the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, serving low-income clients, suggest a history of advocacy for marginalized communities. Critics argue she may have acted out of a belief that Ruiz faced unjust persecution by ICE, particularly given Wisconsin’s sanctuary city policies, which limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Supporters claim her actions were a spontaneous response to protect a defendant in her courtroom, though no direct quotes from Dugan confirm this.
- Joel and Nancy Cano: The Canos’ decision to harbor Ortega-Lopez appears more personal. Court documents indicate Nancy Cano initially hired Ortega for home repairs, suggesting a relationship of trust developed. Joel Cano’s destruction of the cellphone implies an intent to shield Ortega from prosecution, possibly out of fear of retaliation or a misguided attempt to protect him. No explicit motive has been stated by the Canos, but their actions suggest they knowingly concealed Ortega’s illegal status and suspected gang ties.
Eduardo Flores Ruiz: Ruiz was not harbored in a traditional sense, as Dugan’s alleged interference occurred in the Milwaukee County Courthouse. He was temporarily concealed by being allowed to exit through a jury door, but no evidence suggests Dugan provided him housing or long-term shelter.
Cristhian Ortega-Lopez: Ortega resided in the Canos’ guesthouse in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The arrangement began after Nancy Cano hired him for home repairs, and the Canos allowed him to stay on their property, despite knowing his undocumented status and suspected gang affiliations.
- Eduardo Flores Ruiz: Ruiz has not been deported as of April 25, 2025. He is in ICE custody, awaiting deportation proceedings, which could be delayed by his pending state criminal charges for domestic battery.
- Cristhian Ortega-Lopez: Ortega-Lopez remains in federal custody in the U.S., facing trial for illegal firearm possession. Deportation is likely following the resolution of his case, but no deportation has occurred yet.
What You Need to Know:
- Historical Precedent: The arrest of a sitting judge for immigration-related charges is extraordinarily rare. The last comparable case in Massachusetts occurred in 2019, when Judge Shelley Joseph was charged with obstruction for helping an undocumented immigrant evade ICE. Those charges were dropped in 2022, highlighting the legal complexities of prosecuting judges in such cases.
- Tren de Aragua’s Emergence: The Cano case marks one of the first high-profile instances linking a U.S. judge to an alleged member of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang that has gained notoriety for its rapid expansion into the U.S. The gang’s designation as a “foreign terrorist organization” by the Trump administration has intensified enforcement efforts.
- Social Media’s Role: Federal authorities identified Ortega-Lopez partly through social media posts showing him posing with firearms, underscoring how digital footprints are increasingly used in immigration enforcement. This tactic reflects a broader trend of leveraging online evidence to target suspected gang members.
- Trump Administration’s Immigration Crackdown: These arrests are part of a broader policy under President Donald Trump, who took office in January 2025 vowing to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. The administration has designated gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as terrorist organizations, justifying aggressive enforcement tactics, including the use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
- Public and Political Reactions: The arrests have polarized opinions. Supporters of the administration, like DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, argue that “no one is above the law,” while critics, including Senator Dick Durbin, warn that targeting judges undermines judicial independence and discourages victims from engaging with the justice system.
- Legal Context: Harboring an undocumented immigrant is a federal crime under 8 U.S.C. § 1324, punishable by up to 7 years in prison, with enhanced penalties if done for profit or resulting in harm. Evidence tampering, as charged against the Canos, carries up to 20 years.
What Happens Next in Each Case?
Hannah Dugan’s Case
- Next Steps: Dugan’s case will proceed in federal court in Milwaukee, with a preliminary hearing expected within weeks. Prosecutors must prove she intentionally obstructed ICE’s operation, a high bar given the need to demonstrate specific intent. Dugan’s defense is likely to argue that her actions were within her judicial discretion and not meant to aid Ruiz’s escape.
- Possible Outcomes: If convicted, Dugan faces up to 7 years in prison for obstruction. However, given the rarity of convicting judges and the precedent of dropped charges in similar cases (e.g., Judge Shelley Joseph), an acquittal or plea deal is possible. A conviction could lead to her permanent removal from the bench.
- Timeline: The case could take months to resolve, with potential appeals extending the process into 2026.
Joel and Nancy Cano’s Case
- Next Steps: The Canos face a federal trial in New Mexico, likely focusing on evidence tampering and harboring charges. Prosecutors will leverage Cano’s admission of destroying the cellphone and social media evidence linking Ortega to the Canos. The defense may argue that the Canos acted out of humanitarian intent or lacked knowledge of Ortega’s gang ties.
- Possible Outcomes: Conviction on evidence tampering carries a maximum of 20 years, while harboring could add 7 years. Given the severity of the allegations and Ortega’s suspected gang ties, a plea deal may be offered to reduce sentences. Joel Cano’s judicial career is effectively over, and both face significant prison time if convicted.
- Timeline: The trial is expected to begin in mid-2025, with sentencing or appeals potentially stretching into 2026.
Eduardo Flores Ruiz’s Case
- Next Steps: Ruiz will face state prosecution for domestic battery charges in Wisconsin, followed by ICE deportation proceedings. His lack of gang affiliations may expedite deportation unless his legal team successfully argues for relief based on humanitarian grounds.
- Possible Outcomes: Deportation to his country of origin is likely after criminal proceedings conclude, potentially by late 2025.
Cristhian Ortega-Lopez’s Case
- Next Steps: Ortega’s federal trial for illegal firearm possession will proceed, with prosecutors likely emphasizing his suspected Tren de Aragua ties to secure a conviction. ICE will initiate deportation proceedings concurrently.
- Possible Outcomes: A conviction could result in up to 15 years in prison, followed by deportation. If acquitted, immediate deportation is still probable due to his undocumented status.
- Timeline: The trial is expected in late 2025, with deportation possible by 2026.
The arrests of Judges Hannah Dugan and Joel Cano represent a bold move by the Trump administration to enforce immigration laws, even against judicial figures.
These cases highlight the tensions between the complexities of prosecuting judges, and the growing focus on transnational gangs like Tren de Aragua.
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