Exclusive: Florida Attorney General James Usmeer is pushing back against a judge’s request that his office direct state law enforcement to halt enforcement of immigration laws that are being reviewed for potential unconstitutionality.
The law in question permits misdemeanor charges for undocumented immigrants attempting to enter Florida while evading federal immigration authorities.
“The judge is seeking my approval for a directive that would stop all state law enforcement from applying Florida’s immigration laws,” he stated regarding an ACLU challenge framed before Miami federal judge Kathleen Williams.
“I refuse to comply. I believe the courts are overstepping their bounds. I cannot instruct law enforcement to neglect their constitutional duties.”
“It seems crucial to uphold a proper balance of power and the rule of law. The ACLU is poised to counteract President Donald Trump’s initiatives to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. We’re fighting back against that.”
Florida AG will establish a parent’s rights office to support parents’ “god-given rights.”
The lawsuit that led to this injunction claims Florida’s immigration law conflicts with federal statutes, which take precedence over state laws.
Bacardi Jackson, executive director of the ACLU in Florida, remarked to the Associated Press that politicians in Tallahassee are “trying to manipulate fear into policy and essentially criminalizing the existence of immigrants within the state.”
“The courts have rightfully reminded them: enforcing immigration laws is a federal responsibility—not a tool for political maneuvering at the state level,” Jackson added.
On Wednesday, Uthmeier urged the court to allow the law’s enforcement, following arrests under this law that are currently under appeal in Atlanta’s 11th Circuit.
Federal judges have ordered local law enforcement to cease implementing new immigration laws.
“This law simply asserts Florida’s inherent authority to safeguard its citizens by endorsing the enforcement of federal immigration regulations,” Usmeyer wrote on Wednesday.
This situation arose from an April 23 memo to the Florida Highway Patrol from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and chief law enforcement officers.
“I contend that extending her orders into non-parties is inappropriate, and I’ve communicated that my office will soon engage in debate. Today, I clarified why Florida law enforcement should not curtail their own enforcement responsibilities,” he mentioned in a memo that was later obtained.
Uthmeier noted that Williams had instructed him to keep her updated on the “evolving scope” of the order, but he maintained he cannot prevent enforcement of the new law.
Williams expressed her intention on Tuesday to issue a preliminary injunction against the law, saying she was “taken aback and shocked” by Usmeer’s actions.
“What offends me is the implication that you can disregard my orders, which is not permissible,” Williams remarked.
Insiders indicated that the plaintiffs did not explicitly reference police in their initial filings, yet the memo was circulated after the Highway Patrol was included in the court order. As it stands, the state police believe they are not subject to the injunction.
If Uthmeier faces a judge, court assistance may come from former Greg Leljedals of the Northern District of Florida.
In a tweet from Uthmeier on Thursday, he shared a photo of two men smiling in his office, noting their “great meeting.”
Stephen Sorace of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
