Wisconsin Asylum Seeker Detained Amid Rising Courthouse Arrests

Key Takeaways

• On May 7, 2025, ICE arrested a person at Milwaukee County Courthouse, marking the fourth arrest in months.
• Judge Hannah Dugan faces obstruction charges for allegedly helping Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade ICE agents.
• ICE courthouse arrests rose due to January 2025 policy allowing arrests in or near courts.

Federal Immigration Enforcement Escalates at Milwaukee County Courthouse: Arrests, Policy Shifts, and Community Impact

A new wave of federal immigration enforcement has swept through Wisconsin, with the Milwaukee County Courthouse at the center of a growing national debate. On May 7, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested an individual at the courthouse, marking at least the fourth such arrest in recent months. This incident, confirmed by Chief Judge Carl Ashley, follows a series of high-profile events—including the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan for allegedly helping a Mexican citizen, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, avoid ICE agents in her courtroom. These developments have sparked concern among legal professionals, immigrant advocates, and local officials, raising urgent questions about due process, judicial independence, and the rights of immigrants in Wisconsin.

What Happened at the Milwaukee County Courthouse?

The latest arrest at the Milwaukee County Courthouse is part of a pattern that has emerged since early 2025. ICE agents, acting under new federal guidance, have resumed and intensified courthouse arrests in Wisconsin. The most recent case involved an unidentified individual taken into custody on May 7, 2025. This follows the dramatic events of April, when Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by federal officers. She faces charges of obstruction and concealing an individual after allegedly directing Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican citizen, to a side exit to avoid ICE arrest. Flores-Ruiz was later apprehended outside the courthouse and is now detained at Dodge Detention Facility in Juneau, Wisconsin.

These incidents have not only drawn local attention but have also made headlines across the United States 🇺🇸, as they represent a significant escalation in federal immigration enforcement within state judicial settings.

Why Are ICE Courthouse Arrests Increasing in Wisconsin?

The surge in courthouse arrests is directly linked to a policy change from January 2025. Former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman issued a memorandum allowing ICE officers to make civil immigration arrests “in or near courthouses” when they have credible information that the target will appear. The stated reasons include public safety and the lack of cooperation from local jurisdictions, which often do not honor ICE detainers.

This policy shift marks a return to practices seen during the Trump administration, which had been limited under President Biden’s earlier guidance. The new directive has led to a visible increase in ICE activity at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, with at least four arrests documented in recent months.

How Do ICE Courthouse Arrests Work?

ICE agents follow a specific process when making courthouse arrests:

1. Target Identification: ICE identifies individuals scheduled to appear in court, often using prior detainers or credible information.
2. Surveillance: Agents enter the courthouse or wait nearby, sometimes in plain clothes, to observe and identify the target.
3. Detention: Once the individual is identified, ICE agents detain them, sometimes with the knowledge or assistance of local law enforcement.
4. Obstruction Charges: If a courthouse employee or official is seen as interfering, federal authorities may pursue obstruction charges. This is what happened to Judge Hannah Dugan.
5. Transfer to Custody: Detainees are transferred to ICE custody and may be held in local or federal detention facilities, such as Dodge Detention Facility, pending removal proceedings or further legal action.

This process has raised concerns about transparency, due process, and the potential for civil rights violations.

Who Are the Key Figures and Stakeholders?

Several individuals and groups have played central roles in these recent events:

• Judge Hannah Dugan: Arrested and charged with felonies for allegedly helping Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade ICE agents. Her case is unprecedented and has drawn national attention.
• Eduardo Flores-Ruiz: The Mexican citizen at the center of the April incident, now detained at Dodge Detention Facility.
• Chief Judge Carl Ashley: Confirmed the May 7 ICE arrest at the courthouse.
• James Burnett: Chief of staff to Sheriff Denita Ball, acknowledged ICE agents’ presence at the courthouse.
• Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.): Condemned the federal government’s actions as “overreach” and accused ICE of disregarding constitutional protections.
• Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.): Called the arrest of a sitting judge “a whole new descent into government chaos.”
• Milwaukee County Board: Formally opposed what it describes as unlawful ICE actions in courthouses, citing concerns about due process and the chilling effect on immigrant participation in the judicial system.

What Are the Main Concerns About ICE Courthouse Arrests?

The resumption and escalation of ICE courthouse arrests have sparked alarm among judges, attorneys, and immigrant advocates. Their main concerns include:

• Deterring Participation: Immigrants may avoid coming to court, even as victims or witnesses, out of fear of arrest. This undermines the justice system’s ability to function fairly.
• Disrupting Proceedings: Court operations can be disrupted, and due process may be compromised for all parties, regardless of immigration status.
• Civil Rights Risks: There is an increased risk of racial profiling and civil rights violations, especially when local law enforcement works with federal immigration authorities.
• Judicial Independence: The arrest of Judge Dugan has raised questions about the boundaries between federal immigration enforcement and the independence of state courts.

Civil rights organizations, such as the ACLU, argue that these practices erode trust in law enforcement and the courts, making communities less safe overall.

What Does the Data Show?

Recent statistics highlight the scale and impact of immigration enforcement in Wisconsin:

• Four courthouse arrests by ICE have been documented in Milwaukee County in recent months.
• Over 14,600 ICE detainers were issued in Wisconsin from 2006 through 2023.
• In 2023, Wisconsin law enforcement agencies made 55,030 felony arrests and 91,514 misdemeanor arrests statewide.
• Asylum approval rates in Wisconsin are not specifically listed, but neighboring Illinois reported 749 asylum grants out of 1,396 decisions in fiscal year 2025, showing a challenging environment for asylum seekers in the region.

These numbers suggest that immigration enforcement remains a significant issue in Wisconsin, with real consequences for individuals and families.

How Are Local Authorities Responding?

Milwaukee County officials are working to develop a formal policy to guide how county and circuit court employees should respond to ICE agents at courthouses. As of June 2025, this policy has not yet been released. The Milwaukee County Board has already expressed strong opposition to ICE’s actions, emphasizing the importance of due process and the need to protect the rights of all residents.

James Burnett, chief of staff to Sheriff Denita Ball, confirmed that local law enforcement is aware of ICE’s presence but did not specify the extent of cooperation. The situation remains fluid, with many in the legal community calling for clearer guidelines and stronger protections for immigrants and court employees.

What Are the Legal and Policy Implications?

The recent events at the Milwaukee County Courthouse have intensified debate over several key issues:

• Federal vs. Local Authority: The arrest of Judge Dugan has brought national attention to the tension between federal immigration enforcement and state judicial independence. Many fear that aggressive federal actions could undermine the ability of judges and court staff to carry out their duties without interference.
• Due Process: Legal experts warn that courthouse arrests may violate constitutional protections, especially if they deter victims, witnesses, or defendants from participating in court proceedings.
• Civil Rights: Studies show that local-federal cooperation in immigration enforcement, especially under programs like 287(g), increases the risk of racial profiling and diverts resources from serious crime investigation.

Supporters of ICE enforcement argue that cooperation is necessary to remove individuals who pose a public safety risk, especially those with criminal convictions. Opponents counter that these actions undermine the integrity of the judicial system and disproportionately target non-criminal immigrants and communities of color.

Historical Context: How Did We Get Here?

ICE courthouse arrests increased dramatically during President Trump’s administration, then were scaled back under President Biden, who issued guidance limiting such arrests to exceptional circumstances. However, the return of the Trump administration in January 2025 brought a reversal, with new guidance explicitly authorizing and encouraging courthouse arrests in jurisdictions that do not honor ICE detainers.

Wisconsin, and Milwaukee County in particular, has become a focal point for these enforcement actions due to its large immigrant population and history of sanctuary policies. The arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan and the detention of Eduardo Flores-Ruiz have made Milwaukee a national symbol of the broader conflict over immigration enforcement and judicial independence.

What Happens Next?

Milwaukee County is expected to release a formal policy on courthouse interactions with ICE in the coming weeks. This policy may clarify the roles and responsibilities of court employees and law enforcement when federal agents are present. Legal challenges to the new federal guidance are also anticipated, especially if more incidents involving judicial officers or high-profile cases occur.

The debate over local-federal cooperation in immigration enforcement is likely to intensify, particularly as Wisconsin’s political landscape remains sharply divided on immigration issues. Community advocates, legal professionals, and government officials will all play a role in shaping the future of immigration enforcement in the state.

Practical Guidance for Immigrants and Court Employees

If you are an immigrant or work at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, here are some practical steps to consider:

• Know Your Rights: Immigrants have the right to remain silent and to speak with an attorney before answering questions from ICE agents. For more information, visit the official ICE website.
• Seek Legal Help: If you or someone you know is facing immigration enforcement, contact a qualified immigration attorney or a local legal aid organization.
• Stay Informed: Monitor updates from the Milwaukee County Circuit Court and the Milwaukee County Board regarding new policies and procedures.
• Document Interactions: If you witness or experience an ICE arrest at the courthouse, document the event as thoroughly as possible and report it to a trusted legal or advocacy organization.

Multiple Perspectives: Supporters and Opponents

The issue of ICE courthouse arrests divides opinion:

• Supporters argue that these arrests are necessary to remove dangerous individuals and maintain public safety, especially when local jurisdictions do not cooperate with federal authorities.
• Opponents believe that such enforcement undermines the justice system, discourages immigrants from participating in court, and increases the risk of civil rights violations.
• Federal authorities maintain that courthouse arrests are a last resort in jurisdictions that do not honor ICE detainers, and that public safety is their top priority.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation in Milwaukee County is being closely watched by legal experts and immigrant advocates across the United States 🇺🇸, as it may set important precedents for how federal and local authorities interact in the future.

Summary Table: Key Facts

Conclusion: What Does This Mean for Wisconsin and Beyond?

The recent wave of ICE courthouse arrests in Wisconsin, highlighted by the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan and the detention of Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, marks a significant escalation in federal immigration enforcement. These actions have sparked intense debate over due process, judicial independence, and the rights of immigrants. With new federal guidance in place and local policies under development, the situation remains fluid and contentious.

For immigrants, legal professionals, and community members, staying informed and seeking legal support is more important than ever. The outcome of ongoing policy discussions and potential legal challenges will have far-reaching implications—not just for Milwaukee County, but for the entire United States 🇺🇸.

For more information on your rights and official procedures, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency enforcing immigration laws and conducting arrests.
Detainer → A request from ICE to local authorities to hold a person for immigration enforcement.
Obstruction → An act hindering legal or law enforcement processes, potentially a criminal offense.
Federal Guidance → Official instructions from federal agencies directing enforcement priorities and procedures.
Due Process → Legal requirement ensuring fair treatment through the normal judicial system.

This Article in a Nutshell

Federal immigration enforcement at Milwaukee Courthouse escalates with multiple arrests, including a judge. New policies increase courthouse ICE actions, raising serious legal and civil rights concerns amid local opposition and ongoing policy debates.
— By VisaVerge.com