Florida AG held in civil contempt for disobeying order; ‘litigants cannot change the plain meaning of words,’ judge says

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Florida AG held in civil contempt for disobeying order; ‘litigants can’t change the plain which means of phrases,’ choose says

By Debra Cassens Weiss

June 18, 2025, 2:05 pm CDT

A federal choose held Florida Lawyer Basic James Uthmeier in civil contempt of courtroom Tuesday for disobeying an order quickly blocking a state immigration legislation.

U.S. District Choose Kathleen M. Williams of the Southern District of Florida mentioned Uthmeier disobeyed her directive to offer precise discover of a short lived restraining order to legislation enforcement businesses with energy to implement it.

The April 18 TRO had blocked a legislation that made it a state crime for immigrants within the nation to illegally enter Florida.

The choice was a “uncommon and forceful rebuke,” in response to a June 17 press launch by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, one of many teams representing the plaintiffs.

The New York Instances, Law360, the Tampa Bay Instances and NBC Information are among the many publications protecting Williams’ June 17 order.

Williams issued the TRO after discovering that the Florida legislation was seemingly preempted by federal legislation. She later issued an injunction, which the eleventh U.S. Circuit Court docket of Appeals at Atlanta refused to disturb, in response to Law360.

At first, Uthmeier advised legislation enforcement businesses about Williams’ order. Then, in an April 23 letter, Uthmeier mentioned he thinks that Williams’ order can’t bind unbiased legislation enforcement businesses as a result of they aren’t events to the case.

“No lawful, respectable order at the moment impedes” enforcement of the unlawful entry legislation, Uthmeier mentioned within the letter.

Williams mentioned Uthmeier additionally “publicly disavowed” his compliance a number of occasions, stating that he wouldn’t “bow down” to the courtroom.

Williams had argued that Uthmeier’s letter was meant to clarify his authorized views and to maintain legislation enforcement knowledgeable of litigation updates. Williams mentioned Uthmeier was twisting the which means of his phrases.

“Litigants can’t change the plain which means of phrases because it fits them, particularly when conveying a courtroom’s clear and unambiguous order,” mentioned Williams, an appointee of former President Barack Obama. “Constancy to the rule of legislation can haven’t any different which means.”

Williams dominated a couple of weeks after a listening to through which she mentioned “anarchy” could be the consequence if officers similar to Uthmeier fail to observe courtroom orders, in response to the New York Instances.

Williams ordered Uthmeier to file biweekly studies detailing whether or not arrests, detentions or legislation enforcement actions had been undertaken. He also needs to instantly notify the courtroom if he learns of arrests, Williams mentioned.

Uthmeier responded in a submit on X, previously referred to as Twitter.

“If being held in contempt is what it prices to defend the rule of legislation and stand firmly behind President Trump’s agenda on unlawful immigration, so be it,” he wrote.

The case is Florida Immigrant Coalition v. Uthmeier.

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