Supreme Court denies Florida’s request to enforce its new immigration law.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court rejected Florida’s request to block a lower court ruling that prevents the state from enforcing certain aspects of its recently passed immigration law. The one-sentence order did not provide any reasoning for the denial of the emergency request made by Florida’s attorney general. The case originated from a lawsuit filed by two immigration advocacy groups and two undocumented immigrants against legislation signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. This law criminalizes entering Florida after being deported or entering the U.S. illegally.
In April, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a temporary block on the law’s enforcement, and last month, she found Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier in civil contempt for allegedly trying to defy her order. A three-judge panel from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Judge Williams’ ruling last month by denying Uthmeier’s request to pause her decision. They expedited the appeal, with a hearing anticipated in October.
In documents submitted to the Supreme Court, Uthmeier asserted that Florida’s law is in alignment with federal immigration enforcement objectives. The Trump administration had previously argued that Florida’s immigration measure complements federal law by mirroring federal entry and re-entry statutes. Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which filed a brief to the Supreme Court in support of the challengers, noted that similar laws in other states have been rejected by courts. They cited the Supreme Court’s 2012 ruling in Arizona v. United States, which underscored the federal government’s broad authority over immigration matters.
Bacardi Jackson, the executive director of ACLU of Florida, expressed approval of the Supreme Court’s decision, emphasizing that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and due process must be upheld. A representative from Uthmeier’s office stated that Florida will continue its appeal in the 11th Circuit, asserting the importance of the law for the state’s future.