The United States Supreme Court has denied Florida’s request to enforce a contentious immigration law, maintaining a lower court’s decision to pause its implementation. The law, known as Senate Bill 4C, sought to criminalize the entry of undocumented migrants into Florida if they had been previously deported or denied entry into the U.S., regardless of any subsequent lawful status. Under this legislation, re-entering the state after deportation would be classified as a felony, with violators detained without bond until their court hearings.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier had petitioned the Supreme Court to lift the preliminary injunction imposed by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams in April. Uthmeier argued that without intervention, Florida would be unable to address the challenges posed by illegal immigration effectively. The state’s position was supported by 18 other states through an amicus brief submitted to the Supreme Court.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) opposed the law, contending that it could disrupt federal immigration enforcement and lead to inconsistent state-level regulations. The Justice Department also participated in the case, submitting a 33-page amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, arguing that Florida’s law aligns with federal statutes rather than contradicting them.

Despite these arguments, the 11th Circuit Court upheld the lower court’s injunction, allowing the case to proceed to the Supreme Court. Ultimately, the justices declined to intervene, leaving Florida’s request unaddressed in their decision.

Florida is not alone in its legislative efforts; other states like Texas, Iowa, and Oklahoma have attempted similar measures, all of which have been blocked by federal courts. The ongoing legal battles highlight the complex interplay between state and federal authorities in managing immigration policies across the United States.