MIAMI — A federal appeals court is being asked to keep a controversial Florida immigration law on hold as a legal challenge unfolds. Advocates for immigrants contend that the law aimed at undocumented individuals is likely unconstitutional and should remain blocked, following a ruling by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams.
The Florida Immigrant Coalition, the Farmworker Association of Florida, and two individual plaintiffs are contesting a request from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. Uthmeier seeks to lift the preliminary injunction that prevents the law, known as SB 4-C, from being enforced during the ongoing litigation.
Last month, Judge Williams determined that the state law is likely preempted by federal immigration authority. The law mandates jail time for individuals found to be in Florida after entering the United States without proper documentation—a measure met with widespread criticism from rights groups and legal scholars.
In a recent filing, plaintiff attorneys emphasized that Judge Williams’ ruling aligns with other courts nationwide that have reviewed similar state-initiated immigration laws. They referenced a landmark 2012 U.S. Supreme Court decision that reaffirmed the federal government’s extensive jurisdiction over immigration enforcement.
The plaintiffs’ brief underscored that the Immigration and Nationality Act presents a cohesive framework for managing noncitizen entry and presence within the United States. This framework includes specific federal penalties for unlawful entry and the processes for noncitizen removal, highlighting the distinction between state and federal roles in immigration law.
SB 4-C was enacted during a special legislative session in February by a Republican-led Florida Legislature, who claimed the law was crafted to boost efforts aligned with former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
In a motion filed with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Uthmeier’s office contested claims that SB 4-C steps on federal immigration authority. They asserted that the law mirrors existing federal statutes, aiming to complement federal objectives in combating illegal immigration.
In tandem with the appellate request, Uthmeier has also sought a stay from Judge Williams regarding her injunction. As of Monday afternoon, no decision has been made on this request, with Uthmeier’s office arguing that the absence of a ruling is itself a form of delay.
The legal challenge, initiated in early April in Miami, posits that the law contradicts the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which allocates immigration enforcement entirely to federal authorities. The lawsuit identifies Uthmeier and local state attorneys as defendants.
In their arguments, plaintiff attorneys contended that Florida cannot claim injury from the inability to enforce a legally questionable provision. They emphasized long-standing judicial precedence affirming that states lack authority to enforce laws like SB 4-C, arguing that Florida has not suffered any irreparable harm from the injunction.
This ongoing legal battle raises significant questions about the jurisdictional boundaries of state versus federal authority in immigration enforcement, with implications for similar laws in other states across the country.
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