The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to reinstate a Florida immigration law that would have allowed the state to prosecute migrants who entered illegally. The court offered no explanation and issued the decision without any noted dissent, according to The New York Times. The law, known as SB 4-C, sought to criminalize re-entry into Florida after an unlawful U.S. entry. A similar Texas law was allowed to take effect by the Supreme Court last year.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams had previously blocked the Florida law, arguing it likely conflicted with federal immigration authority and was therefore unconstitutional. Florida appealed, but the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the injunction. Attorney General James Uthmeier argued the law mirrored federal statutes and was necessary to protect citizens from the impact of illegal immigration.
The decision comes amid increasing political tension over immigration enforcement. In Los Angeles, Democratic Mayor Karen Bass is under scrutiny after reportedly interfering with ICE operations. DHS officials, including Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, said on Fox News that “all options” are on the table regarding potential consequences for Bass.
McLaughlin cited recent arrests under the Trump administration, including nearly 600 suspected terrorists and 2,700 members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang. She questioned who Bass was protecting, accusing Democratic leaders of shielding dangerous individuals and enabling criminal activity.
Republicans have also blamed Democratic rhetoric for increased violence against immigration officers, following a recent police shooting near an ICE facility in Texas. The Department of Justice has pledged a zero-tolerance policy and vowed to prosecute any assaults on federal officers or property to the fullest extent of the law.