Washington, D.C. – The Supreme Court of the United States on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, declined to permit the state of Florida to implement a contentious immigration law. The statute, which designates it a misdemeanor for individuals living in the U.S. illegally to enter the state, remains subject to a legal hold while a broader challenge proceeds through the courts.
The High Court’s action on Wednesday did not include any explanation for its decision, nor was any justice’s dissent publicly noted. This effectively upholds earlier judicial orders that had prevented the state from enforcing the measure.
Background of the Florida Law
The legislation in question was signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in February 2025. Its central tenet criminalizes the act of undocumented entry into the state, making it a distinct state-level offense separate from federal immigration violations.
The enactment of the law swiftly drew legal challenges. Immigrant rights groups filed lawsuits on behalf of two unnamed individuals residing in Florida who are living in the U.S. illegally. These legal challenges argued that the State of Florida had overstepped its authority, contending that immigration regulation falls exclusively under federal jurisdiction.
Lower Court Rulings and State Appeal
The Florida law faced its first major judicial hurdle in April when U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued an order initially barring its enforcement. This ruling prevented the state from prosecuting individuals under the new misdemeanor provision while the lawsuit was pending.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office subsequently sought to overturn Judge Williams’ decision, petitioning the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. However, this effort proved unsuccessful, leaving the initial injunction in place.
Undeterred, Attorney General Uthmeier elevated the legal battle to the nation’s highest court, appealing directly to the Supreme Court. In his appeal, he asserted the state’s inherent right to utilize the law as a means of protecting itself from what he described as the “irreparable harm” caused by illegal immigration.
Supreme Court Decision and Implications
The Supreme Court’s order on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, marks the latest development in this ongoing legal dispute. By refusing to lift the hold, the Court’s action represents a significant setback for Attorney General Uthmeier and the State of Florida’s efforts to enforce the controversial statute.
The Florida law bears similarity to a Texas law that has also faced legal challenges and remains blocked by a separate federal appeals court. These legal battles highlight the broader tension between state-level actions addressing immigration and the long-standing principle that immigration policy is primarily a federal responsibility.
For the moment, the Supreme Court’s decision ensures that the Florida law making it a misdemeanor for individuals living in the U.S. illegally to enter the state cannot be enforced. The fate of the law will ultimately depend on the outcome of the legal challenge that the Court’s order acknowledged is still proceeding.
