A federal judge has ordered local law enforcement in Florida to stop enforcing a newly passed state immigration law, issuing a stern rebuke to officials who attempted to continue its implementation despite a previous court ruling.
The law, signed earlier this year by Governor Ron DeSantis, made it a misdemeanor for individuals to enter Florida without federal authorization. It was part of a broader effort by the state to ramp up immigration enforcement at the local level.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a preliminary injunction, making it clear that local police must immediately halt enforcement efforts. Her decision came after state officials, including Attorney General James Uthmeier, advised agencies they could continue operating under the law—an action the judge criticized as defiant and legally untenable.
The legislation has faced intense legal challenges from civil rights groups, who argue it oversteps state authority and violates the U.S. Constitution by intruding on federal jurisdiction over immigration. Critics warn the law creates a dangerous precedent by encouraging states to set their own immigration rules.
In response to the court’s latest action, Uthmeier vowed to aggressively challenge the ruling and defend the state’s authority. A hearing is scheduled for May to determine whether Uthmeier or others should face sanctions for disregarding the federal order.
The escalating legal fight highlights a growing national divide over who controls immigration policy—and how far states can go in trying to enforce their own laws in the absence of federal action.