By Molly Claire Goddard
8:13am PDT, Jul 10, 2025
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The Supreme Court struck down a controversial Florida law.
The highest legal authority in the United States ruled that the legislation imposed by the Republican party to make it a misdemeanor offense to enter Florida as an illegal immigrant cannot be enforced.
Keep reading to learn why the judges blocked the action…MORE:
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In July, the Supreme Court rejected Florida's emergency appeal to rule on the matter.
"The application for stay presented to Justice [Clarence] Thomas and by him referred to the Court is denied," the order read. None of the other judges on the court dissented on the issue.
The ruling will remain in place while the red state decides whether or not to challenge the block.
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The legislation making it a misdemeanor offense to enter Florida as an illegal immigrant was signed into law by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in February. Left-leaning U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams blocked the law in April.
In the state's appeal to the Supreme Court, Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier claimed the law was vital to protect citizens from "the deluge of illegal immigration."
"The law passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor DeSantis is important to Florida's future and we believe it will prevail on the merits," the attorney general's Press Secretary Jae Williams said in a statement.
Donald Trump's administration and 17 other states have supported Florida's legislation.
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Many immigrant rights groups sued Florida, claiming the state had no right to impose the specific law and that it was the federal government's responsibility to make the decision.
"This denial reaffirms a bedrock principle that dates back 150 years: States may not regulate immigration," Deputy Director of the ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project Cody Wofsy said about the Supreme Court blocking the legislation. "It is past time for states to get the message."
Bacardi Jackson, executive director of the ACLU of Florida, added, "This ruling affirms what the Constitution demands — that immigration enforcement is a federal matter and that no one should be stripped of their liberty without due process."
"Florida's attempt to bypass federal authority and weaponize local law enforcement to police immigration status was not only unlawful, but it also put thousands of people at risk of unjust detention, separation and abuse," the representative added. "We are grateful the Court upheld the block and we remain committed to defending the rights and humanity of all Floridians."
