A federal judge in Florida expressed shock and dismay after the state's attorney general instructed local law enforcement to disregard her order halting a new immigration law.
According to the Washington Examiner, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams voiced her strong disapproval of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's letter suggesting police could ignore her temporary restraining order against a statute criminalizing undocumented migrants' entry into Florida.
The controversial law, passed in February 2025, makes it a misdemeanor for undocumented immigrants to enter Florida while evading immigration officials. Judge Williams had previously issued a temporary restraining order to pause the enforcement of this law, citing constitutional concerns.
Judge Williams expressed her frustration during a court hearing, emphasizing the gravity of an attorney general appearing to undermine a federal court order. She announced plans to issue a preliminary injunction against the law and extended her temporary order by 11 days after learning about approximately 15 arrests, including one U.S. citizen.
Uthmeier's decisions have caused uncertainty among law enforcement. He first told officers to stop making arrests under the law but later changed course in a second memo. Even after the reversal, no further arrests have been made.
The judge responded to Uthmeier’s actions by saying he was offended by any suggestion that his order could be ignored or was not valid.
Acting Florida Solicitor General Jeffrey DeSousa attempted to defend Uthmeier's actions, arguing that the letter merely explained the defendants' legal position rather than encouraging disobedience. The defense also contended that the plaintiffs should have included other law enforcement agencies in their lawsuit.
The state's attorneys have requested a pause on the law's suspension, citing concerns about sovereign harm and ongoing illegal immigration. They submitted a motion arguing that individual plaintiffs continue to violate federal and state laws while organizational plaintiffs support such violations.
Judge Williams rejected the defense's argument, minimizing Uthmeier's influence over criminal enforcement efforts. She determined that evidence suggests the attorney general maintains significant control over state and local law enforcement agencies' immigration-related activities.
A court hearing has been scheduled for May 29 to discuss potential contempt sanctions against Attorney General Uthmeier. The judge ordered him to explain why he shouldn't face legal consequences for his controversial letter to law enforcement agencies.
Judge Williams emphasized her position through strong language:
Even prior to any formal discovery, there is evidence that AG Uthmeier has used his authority to encourage local law enforcement to continue making arrests under a law the Court has, for the time being, found unconstitutional.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier faces potential legal consequences after instructing local police to ignore a federal judge's order pausing the state's new immigration law. The dispute centers around a February 2025 statute making it a misdemeanor for undocumented migrants to enter Florida while evading immigration officials.
Judge Kathleen Williams has scheduled a May 29 hearing to determine whether contempt sanctions should be imposed while the state continues to argue for the law's necessity in addressing illegal immigration concerns.
