Florida โขLaw Enforcement Continues Arrests Under Blocked Immigration law, judge โคFinds
BRADENTON, Fla. โค- Despite a federal judge’s orderโข halting enforcement months ago, florida law enforcement officersโฃ are continuing to make arrestsโข under the state’s controversial immigration law,โฃ prompting a rebuke and ongoing monitoring of the state’sโ top law enforcement official.Two men were arrested over the weekend in Bradenton โฃon charges related to the law, which makes it a misdemeanor for individuals without legal permission toโค enter โthe state.
U.S. โDistrict Judge Kathleen Williams issued a temporary restraining orderโ and injunction in โขApril, freezingโข the enforcementโค of the statute, which penalizedโ those entering Florida byโ “eluding” immigration officials. The arrests this weekendโ -โ one on Saturday and one on Sunday – demonstrate continued defiance of that order, despite previous guidance from โflorida Attorney โฃGeneral Ashley Moody’s office to law enforcement. Both men initially faced a state charge of illegal entry, but prosecutors will drop thoseโ charges. The man arrested Saturday wasโข also charged with driving with an expired license, while โthe โman arrested Sunday faced a โcharge of driving without aโข valid license.
The law was championed byโ Gov. ron DeSantis as a way to address illegal immigration within โthe state, but Judge Williams found it likely infringed on the federalโ government’s authority over immigration matters. Florida argues โtheโ lawโ doesn’t infringe โon federalโ authority, stating in a recent โcourt filing that onceโค theโค federalโ governmentโ makes a decision onโ whoโ may enter the U.S., “an unlawfullyโฃ present alien may not enter or remain โคin Florida.”
Following Williams’ initial order,Florida Department of โคLaw Enforcement Commissioner Mark Uthmeier initially instructed officers to refrain from enforcing โthe law,even while disagreeing with the injunction. Heโฃ later reversed course, stating he coudl not prevent officers from enforcement. Judge Williams later found Uthmeier in civilโ contempt for flouting her order.
Consequently,โข the judgeโ requires Uthmeier to file bimonthly reports detailing any arrests, detentions, or โlaw enforcement actions takenโ under the law. A footnote in Monday’s report indicated both weekend arrests were made by the same officer, and local prosecutors will โremind the Bradenton Police Department officer of the judge’sโ injunction. The state has โคappealed Williams’ injunction, seeking to have it vacated or narrowed.