Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is standing firm against a federal judge’s order to halt enforcement of a state immigration law, saying the court has overstepped and lacks authority over Florida’s law enforcement agencies.
Key Facts:
- Federal Judge Kathleen Williams ordered a pause on Florida’s immigration law, citing constitutional concerns.
- Attorney General James Uthmeier refused to instruct law enforcement to comply, arguing the judge’s order is overreaching.
- The ACLU sued Florida, claiming the law violates the federal Supremacy Clause.
- Uthmeier insists the law supports federal immigration enforcement and aligns with constitutional duties.
- The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals will soon hear arguments as tensions rise between state and federal authority.
The Rest of The Story:
Florida’s new immigration law, which allows misdemeanor charges for illegal immigrants avoiding federal officials, has come under fire.
Federal Judge Kathleen Williams, appointed by President Obama, believes the law may be unconstitutional and attempted to halt its enforcement.
However, the state’s Attorney General, James Uthmeier, challenged the order, saying that no law enforcement agencies are parties to the lawsuit and that the judge lacks jurisdiction to bind them.
Uthmeier sent a memo to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and other law enforcement, stating his belief that Judge Williams’ expansion of her order to include them was unlawful.
Despite her frustration and statements of being “surprised and shocked,” the AG reaffirmed that Florida will continue to defend the law in court and on appeal.
Commentary:
This case is shaping up as a direct clash between federal judicial authority and a state’s right to protect its borders.
Uthmeier is correct in refusing to rubber-stamp what appears to be judicial activism.
His stance sends a clear message that Florida will not be bullied into abandoning its constitutional role in public safety.
The judge’s demand—that a state official enforce her directive even when his agency wasn’t a party to the lawsuit—raises serious legal and constitutional concerns.
It’s not just about immigration anymore; it’s about separation of powers and the limits of judicial reach.
Uthmeier’s refusal to comply could technically put him in legal jeopardy, but that risk seems worth it in defense of Florida’s sovereignty.
There’s also the real question of enforceability.
Without state cooperation, the court’s order becomes symbolic at best.
The AG’s public alignment with President Trump’s immigration goals reflects a broader political will in Florida to take matters into their own hands.
It also illustrates how some states are moving to fill the gap they perceive the federal government has left in enforcing immigration law.
Even if higher courts take a more cautious view, Uthmeier’s firm position lays the groundwork for a state-driven legal counterbalance to what many see as judicial overreach.
Regardless of the eventual ruling, the state’s posture is clear: Florida will not yield its right to enforce its own laws without a proper fight.
The Bottom Line:
Florida’s Attorney General is openly defying a federal judge’s order, arguing it’s an unlawful overreach into state law enforcement.
This legal standoff reveals deep tensions between federal authority and state sovereignty in the realm of immigration enforcement.
The case is likely heading to a higher court, but for now, Florida is standing its ground.
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