Supreme Court Blocks Enforcement of Florida Anti-Immigrant Law — For Now

Justices reject Florida’s bid to enforce SB 4-C, a state law criminalizing undocumented entry, leaving federal injunction in place while legal battle unfolds.

WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Florida’s request to enforce a controversial state immigration law that created new state-level crimes for undocumented immigrants. The denial leaves in place a federal injunction blocking the law while legal challenges proceed.

The unsigned order did not include a written explanation or any noted dissents, as is customary with emergency applications.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier had asked the court to stay a preliminary injunction issued in April by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, who found the law likely encroached on federal immigration authority. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had already denied a similar request in June.

The law, known as SB 4-C, was passed during a February special legislative session and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. It makes it a felony for certain undocumented immigrants to enter or re-enter Florida and mandates pretrial detention without bond. It also prohibits so-called sanctua…