Florida AG Vows to 'Relentlessly' Fight Judge's Ruling Halting Migrant Arrests
Local judge instructs regional police forces to halt implementation of fresh immigration regulation
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier joins the morning chat on Fox & Friends to discuss the state's legal tussle with Snapchat over child safety and the controversial judge's decision that halted the detainment of migrants.
The recent announcement by a federal judge in Florida suggests that the judge's temporary order blocking local police from executing Florida's new state immigration law applies to all law enforcement agencies, contradicting the assurance made by Florida's attorney general in a recent memo.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams disclosed her intention to issue a preliminary injunction against the law, which makes it a misdemeanor for undocumented individuals to enter Florida by evading immigration officials.
Williams expressed her shock and disapproval during a Miami court hearing on Tuesday, expressing her displeasure over the suggestion that the court's order might not be valid.
"What I take offense to is someone implying that my order isn't legitimate," Williams remarked.
*OVER 700 ILLEGAL ALIENS ARRESTED DURING MASSIVE FLORIDA ICE OPERATION: 'TIDAL WAVE'*
In an earlier hearing, Williams had granted a temporary restraining order against the legislation. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis placed his signature on the bill in February as part of President Donald Trump's campaign to tighten the screws on illegal immigration.
Law enforcement alliance searches a vehicle suspected of concealing unauthorized migrants in St. Johns County, Florida, following a traffic stop. (Stephanie Keith for our website Digital)
After extending the order for more than two weeks, Williams disclosed 15 arrests, among which was a native-born U.S. citizen from Georgia.
*MEXICAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT RELEASED UNDER BIDEN ADMINISTRATION 'SEXUALLY ASSAULTED' BOY DURING HIDE AND SEEK: SHERIFF*
Following the extension of the order, Uthmeier dispatched a memo to local and state law enforcement officers, advising them to withdraw from implementing the law, despite disagreeing with the judge's order.
Five days later, Uthmeier revised his stance in another memo, asserting that the judge's ruling was legally incorrect and that he had no authority to prohibit local police officers and deputies from enforcing the law.
No additional arrests have been reported since Uthmeier updated his memo.
our website Digital's Julia Bonavita and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Key Insights:- The legal battle concerning Florida's SB 4-C has triggered significant court actions: - Temporary restraining order issued on April 4, 2025, by a federal court, which blocks enforcement of SB 4-C, given the likelihood of violating the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause and Commerce Clause by overstepping federal immigration authority (ref 2, 5). - Preliminary injunction pending, with Judge Kathleen Williams hinting at issuing the injunction post the extension of the temporary order on multiple occasions, citing arrests made under the law during the suspending period (ref 3). - The judge confirmed on April 29 that her order applies to all local law enforcement agencies, challenging Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's advisory stating otherwise (ref 3).- The lawsuit, initiated by immigrant advocacy groups and individuals, alleges that SB 4-C unlawfully criminalizes entry into Florida by undocumented immigrants and encroaches on federal jurisdiction (ref 1, 4). The case continues in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, in a dispute with Snapchat over child safety, also spoke about the ongoing legal tussle regarding the state's immigration law (SB 4-C), expressing his disagreement with U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams' decision that halted the detainment of migrants.
- Judge Williams, who initially granted a temporary restraining order against SB 4-C, later extended the order and stated that her order applies to all local law enforcement agencies, contradicting a memo issued by Uthmeier stating otherwise.
- The controversial law, which makes it a misdemeanor for undocumented individuals to enter Florida by evading immigration officials, is being challenged in court by immigrant advocacy groups and individuals, who allege it unlawfully criminalizes entry into Florida by undocumented immigrants and encroaches on federal jurisdiction.
- Despite disagreeing with the judge's order, Uthmeier, in a further memo, asserted that the judge's ruling was legally incorrect and that she had no authority to prohibit local police officers and deputies from enforcing the law.
- The controversy over the law comes at a time when there is increased political focus on immigration, with President Donald Trump advocating for tightening immigration laws and general news outlets reporting on crime-and-justice issues related to migrants.
