Judge finds Florida attorney general in contempt of court for flouting immigration order

On June 17, 2025, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier was found in contempt of court by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams for disregarding her restraining order. The order instructed him not to enforce a law criminalizing undocumented immigrants entering Florida. Judge Williams criticized Uthmeier's clarification to police that they could continue enforcing the law, emphasizing the importance of adhering to clear judicial mandates. As a penalty, Uthmeier must submit bi-weekly reports detailing any related arrests and law enforcement actions, starting by July 1, 2025.

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams stated, "Litigants cannot change the plain meaning of words as it suits them, especially when conveying a court's clear and unambiguous order."

Uthmeier was ordered to file bi-weekly reports detailing arrests under the immigration statute, with the first report due by July 1.

Read at Miami Herald