Adrian
Florida Attorney General JAMES UTHMEIER has instructed state law enforcement to cease arrests of undocumented migrants under a new immigration law following a federal judge’s reinforced restraining order against the state. The directive comes after U.S. District Judge KATHLEEN WILLIAMS expressed astonishment during a Friday hearing that arrests continued despite her earlier order to halt such actions earlier this month.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office has not yet responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital. Under Florida state law, it is a misdemeanor for undocumented immigrants to enter the state. In a formal letter to state officials, UTHMEIER directed law enforcement to comply with the judge’s order, even as he maintained disagreement with the decision.
The controversy stems from revelations by attorneys suing the state that 15 arrests were made in the past two weeks, including one involving a U.S. citizen born in Georgia. Last week, JUAN CARLOS LOPEZ GOMEZ, a 20-year-old, was pulled over by Florida Highway Patrol near the Florida-Georgia border and detained by immigration officials. Authorities charged GOMEZ with illegal entry into Florida under the new law signed by Governor RON DESANTIS in February. It remains unclear whether GOMEZ provided identification upon arrest.
GOMEZ was held at the Leon County Jail, where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requested he remain in custody for up to 48 hours. He was released the following day after his mother presented his birth certificate, Social Security card, and state identification card in court.
Both ICE and the Florida Immigrant Coalition have yet to respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment. The next hearing regarding the state’s enforcement of the law is scheduled for April 29.
Fox News’ DANA MCNICHOLL and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sources: [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com), [Associated Press](https://apnews.com).
