Florida AG Appeals Contempt in Immigration Law Case

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has appealed a federal judge’s civil contempt ruling after he told law enforcement agencies they could still enforce a new immigration law, despite a court order blocking it. The law, passed during a February special session, makes it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to enter or re-enter Florida, prompting a lawsuit from advocacy groups claiming immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams had directed Uthmeier to notify police that they could not enforce the law, but Uthmeier argued the order applied only to named defendants. His April 23 letter to police restated this view, resulting in the contempt finding. Uthmeier has publicly defended his actions, citing the rule of law and support for former President Trump’s immigration policies. The case is now before the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta.