In Florida, at least two individuals were mistakenly charged under a recently halted state immigration law that made it illegal for undocumented migrants to enter the state by evading immigration authorities. The law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in February of 2025, was blocked in April by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams. However, the arrests took place in late May, well after the court’s injunction, highlighting confusion and breakdowns in coordination between state and local law enforcement. The charges, brought in St. Johns County, were later dropped following intervention from prosecutors to comply with the federal injunction.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who was found in civil contempt for defying the court’s freeze on the law, reported the wrongful arrests as required. He admitted he initially instructed law enforcement to pause enforcement, but subsequently shifted, asserting he couldn’t prevent deputies from pursuing charges. The incidents expose the practical challenges of implementing state-level immigration statutes amid federal court oversight, and underscore tensions over state actions that risk conflicting with constitutional authority and federal supremacy.
Reference:
Associated Press. “Florida Attorney General Identifies Wrongful Charges Under Halted Immigration Law.” Associated Press, 16 July 2025.
