Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is arguing that the court has overreached itself in contesting a federal court ruling that temporarily halts the state’s new immigration law.
The law, which was signed into law in February 2025, makes it illegal for undocumented immigrants to enter Florida. Citing possible unconstitutionality, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a temporary restraining order on April 4, 2025, stopping the law’s enforcement. On April 23, however, Uthmeier delivered a note to law enforcement authorities indicating that they were exempt from the judge’s decision and may proceed with enforcement efforts.
In response, Judge Williams emphasized that her ruling is applicable to all local and state law enforcement organizations, whether or not they were mentioned in the lawsuit. She was taken aback by Uthmeier’s position and set a hearing for May 29 to discuss possible punishment against him for breaking the court’s order.
According to Uthmeier, the court does not have the authority to stop the state law’s implementation because it is consistent with federal immigration laws. He contends that in order to safeguard its residents and support federal immigration enforcement, Florida used its sovereign jurisdiction through the statute.
The statute has been contested by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other advocacy organizations, who contend that it violates the federal government’s sole jurisdiction over immigration issues. They argue that the law may result in the wrongful detention of people, including citizens of the United States, and racial profiling.
This legal dispute calls into question the distribution of authority in governing immigration policy and highlights the continuous conflict between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement.