A federal judge has blocked local law enforcement officials in Florida from enforcing a new state immigration law, Breitbart reported. The local law was enacted to pursue illegal immigrants who enter the Sunshine State.
Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law in February. His state attempted to work in conjunction with President Donald Trump's hard line against illegal immigration, which was a priority since the president's first term.
However, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams imposed a preliminary injunction on the new law and extended the stay as of Tuesday. So far, 15 arrests have been made under the statute.
After the initial strike down, Florida Attorney General James Ulthmeier told police officers to ignore Williams' injunction, which did not sit well with the judge. "What I am offended by is someone suggesting you don’t have to follow my order, that it’s not legitimate," the judge said.
According to a Feb. 19 news release from the governor's office, DeSantis gave Florida authorities the ability to enforce immigration law. He signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to further Trump's agenda.
It allowed law enforcement to perform duties such as questioning immigration status, making arrests based on federal immigration law, and collecting statements and data from suspects. DeSantis touted it as a framework for other states to follow.
"Florida is setting the example for states in combating illegal immigration and working with the Trump Administration to restore the rule of law. By allowing our state agents and law enforcement officers to be trained and approved by ICE, Florida will now have more enforcement personnel deputized to assist federal partners," DeSantis said at the time.
"That means deportations can be carried out more efficiently, making our communities safer as illegal aliens are removed," the governor added. DeSantis also set aside $298 million for the cause, including hiring at least 50 new officers to carry out immigration enforcement as well as funding for training, equipment, and facilities required, the Associated Press reported.
One of the more controversial provisions allowed for the death penalty for illegal aliens who commit crimes such as murder. Opponents, including Democratic politicians and civil rights groups, said that this was unconstitutional.
This recent attack on the Florida law is part of a larger trend of judges attempting to block Trump's agenda. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. opened the door for a class action lawsuit against the administration for applying the Alien Enemies Act against Venezuelans, Fox News reported.
Trump had signed the executive order "Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act Regarding the Invasion of the United States by Tren De Aragua" on March 14. On the very next day, the administration deported 137 Venezuelans as families protested that those targeted were not members of the crime organization.
Rodriguez granted the plaintiffs "class certification" in a lawsuit in the Southern District of Texas. "The unusual circumstances of this case present a compelling justification to utilize a procedure equivalent to a class action authorized by Rule 23," Rodriguez, a Trump appointee, wrote.
The problem of illegal immigration has persisted because many officials are squeamish about enforcing the law. Several of Trump's provisions have faced challenges before liberal judges, who have struck them down.
Florida should have the ability to enforce immigration laws because the federal government has been unable or unwilling to do so for a long time. Instead, the courts continue to resist while the states are left to clean up the damage.
