TALLAHASSEE, FL — In response to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s April 23rd letter concerning law enforcement agencies enforcing SB 4C — Florida’s unconstitutional immigrant entry/re-entry law, the ACLU of Florida issued the following statement:
“The federal judge’s order was clear: it prohibits the state and its ‘officers, agents, employees, attorneys in, and any persons who are in active concert or participation with them’ from enforcing this law. Law enforcement agencies that enforce this unconstitutional law do so at their own legal peril.
"The Constitution is clear as well: the Florida Legislature and Governor DeSantis had no authority to enact this law. The power to regulate immigration lies solely with the federal government — not the states. That’s not up for debate — it’s constitutional law.
"This case challenges the legality and cruelty of a law that puts immigrants and their families, as well as United States citizens, at risk of unlawful detention and criminalization. We will continue to fight in court to stop this unconstitutional law, and we will see the Attorney General there.”
NOTEWORTHY: When issuing the preliminary injunction, U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams expressed disbelief at the Attorney General’s position, stating, “To suggest that police officers have an independent right to disregard the law or disregard a Court order is an astounding representation… Are you subjecting police officers to money damages and false arrest actions or 1983 actions by this tortured idea that they are not bound by this order?”
