Supreme Court Blocks Florida From Enforcing State Immigration Law

The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked Florida's attempt to enforce a strict immigration law, citing federal authority over immigration policy. On Wednesday (July 9), the justices denied a request from Florida officials to lift a judicial order that halted the enforcement of the law, which was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in February. The law made it a crime for undocumented immigrants to enter Florida, imposing sentences ranging from nine months to five years for violations.

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams initially blocked the law, ruling it likely unconstitutional for infringing on federal powers. Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier, backed by the conservative group America First Legal, sought the Supreme Court's intervention, arguing that the state needed to combat illegal immigration. However, the Supreme Court upheld the lower court's decision without providing an explanation or noting any dissents.

The law, known as Senate Bill 4-C, faced challenges from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other advocacy groups. They argued that the law was unconstitutional and did not align with federal immigration policy. The ACLU filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of affected individuals and organizations, emphasizing that immigration control is a federal responsibility.

Despite the Supreme Court's decision, the legal battle over Florida's immigration law is expected to continue in lower courts. The state argues that its measures are necessary to address the impacts of illegal immigration, while opponents maintain that such laws disrupt the federal immigration system and harm immigrant communities.