The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected Florida’s bid to implement an immigration law that makes it a crime for people living in the country illegally to enter the state.
The high court’s action keeps the law on hold while a legal challenge continues. The court did not explain its decision, and no justice signaled disagreement.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the law in February in support of President Donald Trump’s push to crack down on illegal immigration, though many of the Republican president’s efforts have been tied up in legal battles.
Florida’s law made it a misdemeanor for people to enter the state if they lack legal status.
The measure is similar to a Texas law that has also been blocked by a federal appeals court.
Immigrant rights groups filed lawsuits on behalf of two unidentified immigrants living in Florida without legal status, arguing that immigration is a federal matter beyond the power of states. The appeal filed by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier to the Supreme Court said the state has the right to use the law to protect itself from the “irreparable harm” of illegal immigration.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams blocked the new law from taking effect in April. Later, Uthmeier’s office unsuccessfully asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn that decision.
Wednesday’s order is the latest setback for Uthmeier in a months-long battle.
In June, Williams found DeSantis’ appointee in contempt for instructing officers to continue enforcing the new law despite the judge’s orders to halt its implementation.
“If being held in contempt is the cost of defending the rule of law and strongly supporting President Trump’s agenda on illegal immigration, so be it,” Uthmeier posted on social media.
Uthmeier, whom DeSantis appointed to the position in February, has also been recognized for defending a new state-run immigration detention center, nicknamed the “Gator Alcatraz.” Environmental groups filed a lawsuit in June to block construction of the facility.
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