Federal Judge Holds Florida Attorney General in Contempt Over Immigration Law Dispute

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has been found in civil contempt of court after defying a federal judge’s temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking enforcement of a controversial new state immigration law.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that Uthmeier failed to comply with court orders related to a law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in February, which criminalizes the act of undocumented immigrants entering Florida. The legislation is part of a broader effort championed by former President Donald Trump to intensify immigration enforcement.

Judge Williams initially issued a 14-day TRO on April 4 in response to legal action brought by the Florida Immigrant Coalition and other advocacy groups. The order prohibited enforcement of the law while its constitutionality is being reviewed. The TRO was extended after reports surfaced that the Florida Highway Patrol had arrested more than a dozen individuals—among them, a U.S. citizen—despite the court’s ruling.

Following that extension, the court directed Uthmeier to ensure law enforcement agencies across the state were notified of the restriction. Although he initially complied, Uthmeier sent a subsequent letter to law enforcement on April 23, asserting that “no judicial order... properly restrains” officers from enforcing the immigration statute. He further stated that “no lawful, legitimate order currently impedes your agencies from continuing to enforce” the law.

Judge Williams determined this communication violated her April 18 directive and constituted contempt of court. In her ruling, she emphasized that parties in litigation cannot reinterpret judicial orders to suit their agendas.

As a result of the contempt finding, the court has ordered Uthmeier to submit bi-weekly reports starting July 1, detailing any arrests, detentions, or law enforcement actions related to the immigration law. Should any arrests occur under the disputed statute, the attorney general must provide the court with specific details.

The legal battle highlights growing tensions between federal oversight and state-led immigration initiatives, particularly in states closely aligned with Trump-era policies.

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