ORLANDO, Fla. — Two men were wrongly charged under a suspended immigration law in Florida, according to a report from the state attorney general's office. The arrests took place in Bradenton, under a law that prohibits unauthorized individuals from entering Florida, despite a federal judge's earlier ruling that the law could not be enforced while under judicial review.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier revealed the incidents in a report required by the court after being found in civil contempt for advising law enforcement to ignore the injunction.
Reports indicate that local officers have continued to charge individuals under the halted law, with similar cases documented in recent months. In one recent incident, a man was stopped due to unsafe vehicle conditions and admitted to being in the U.S. illegally. Another man was detained for blocking traffic and also confessed his unauthorized status.
Both individuals faced charges which are expected to be dropped by prosecutors, though they also received charges for driving without a valid license.
The law in question made it a misdemeanor to enter Florida if one is living in the U.S. without legal permission. However, a temporary restraining order instated by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams halted its enforcement after Uthmeier's initial directive to law enforcement.
Uthmeier's actions have led to a requirement for him to submit bi-monthly reports regarding any enforcement actions related to the law, reflecting continued instability in Florida's immigration enforcement practices.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier revealed the incidents in a report required by the court after being found in civil contempt for advising law enforcement to ignore the injunction.
Reports indicate that local officers have continued to charge individuals under the halted law, with similar cases documented in recent months. In one recent incident, a man was stopped due to unsafe vehicle conditions and admitted to being in the U.S. illegally. Another man was detained for blocking traffic and also confessed his unauthorized status.
Both individuals faced charges which are expected to be dropped by prosecutors, though they also received charges for driving without a valid license.
The law in question made it a misdemeanor to enter Florida if one is living in the U.S. without legal permission. However, a temporary restraining order instated by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams halted its enforcement after Uthmeier's initial directive to law enforcement.
Uthmeier's actions have led to a requirement for him to submit bi-monthly reports regarding any enforcement actions related to the law, reflecting continued instability in Florida's immigration enforcement practices.
