Fla. AG to rebuff judge who ordered halt to state immigration enforcement: ‘The court has overstepped’
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is standing firm against a judge’s demand to halt enforcement of a state immigration law that she deemed unconstitutional. The law in question allows for misdemeanor charges against illegal immigrants who enter Florida in an attempt to avoid federal immigration officials.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Uthmeier expressed his refusal to order state law enforcement to stop enforcing Florida’s immigration laws. He believes that the court has overstepped its jurisdiction and lacks the authority to dictate how law enforcement officers carry out their duties.
Uthmeier stated, “I do not believe an AG should be held in contempt for respecting the rule of law and appropriate separation of powers. The ACLU is dead set on obstructing President Donald Trump’s efforts to detain and deport illegals, and we are going to fight back. We will vigorously defend our laws and advance President Trump’s agenda on illegal immigration.”
The lawsuit challenging Florida’s immigration law alleges that it violates the Supremacy Clause, which establishes federal laws as superior to state laws. Bacardi Jackson, executive director of the ACLU of Florida, criticized the law, stating that it turns fear into policy and criminalizes immigrants simply for existing in the state.
Despite the court’s injunction, Uthmeier has requested that the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) continue to enforce the law while it undergoes appeal. He maintains that Florida has the sovereign authority to aid in the enforcement of federal immigration law.
In response to the judge’s order, Uthmeier sent a memo to law enforcement agencies clarifying that they are not bound by the court’s injunction. He emphasized that his office would continue to argue against the order, both in court and on appeal.
The situation escalated when Williams, the federal judge overseeing the case, expressed her displeasure with Uthmeier’s actions. She stated that she was offended by the suggestion that her order was not legitimate and that it should not be followed.
Despite the tensions between Uthmeier and the court, he remains committed to upholding Florida’s immigration laws and defending the state’s right to enforce them. He believes that the court’s interference infringes on the state’s sovereignty and will continue to fight for the rights of Floridians.
In conclusion, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s defiance against the court’s order highlights the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement at the state level. As the legal battle continues, Uthmeier remains steadfast in his commitment to defending Florida’s immigration laws and supporting President Trump’s agenda on illegal immigration.
