Two men were arrested in northeast Florida in late May under a state law that criminalizes undocumented immigrants for entering Florida 鈥� more than a month after a federal judge blocked enforcement of the measure 鈥� according to a report Florida's attorney general is required to file as punishment for defying the judge's ruling.
According to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier鈥檚 report, both men were charged with illegal entry, and one was also cited for driving without a license. Prosecutors later dismissed or vacated the charges. He disclosed the arrests in a biweekly status report filed with the court.
The arrests prompted criticism from civil rights groups and U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams. Both had already expressed concern over the state鈥檚 compliance with the a federal court injunction.
Williams had ordered Uthmeier to file biweekly reports detailing whether any law enforcement actions have been taken under the law.
Uthmeier鈥檚 office said it will continue to appeal the injunction and defend the statute. 鈥淭he law passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor DeSantis is important to Florida鈥檚 future, and we believe it will prevail on the merits,鈥� said spokesperson Jae Williams in a statement.
READ MORE: Arrested, shackled and deported from Florida 鈥� despite a federal court order
The Marshall Project, a national non-profit news organization covering the criminal justice system reported this week that 27 people have been under the Florida statute following the federal court鈥檚 order. The Tampa Bay Times previously reported that the Florida Highway Patrol had made 25 of the 27 arrests.
The Marshall Project reporting finding those arrested included a driver accused of briefly crossing a few inches into another lane, two passengers in two separate car accidents, and a who was a passenger in a speeding car.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the original legislation into law in February. It makes it a first-degree misdemeanor for any 鈥渦nauthorized alien鈥� to enter Florida after previously residing in another U.S. state.
Lawmakers passed the measure during a special legislative session as part of DeSantis鈥� broader push to align Florida鈥檚 immigration policies with those of former President Donald Trump.
Williams had issued an injunction in April, temporarily halting enforcement of the law while a legal challenge proceeded.
Uthmeier petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to lift the injunction, but the justices declined to intervene 鈥� leaving the enforcement pause in place.
鈥淭his ruling affirms what the Constitution demands 鈥� that immigration enforcement is a federal matter,鈥� said Bacardi Jackson, executive director of the , one of the organizations challenging the law. 鈥淔lorida鈥檚 attempt to bypass federal authority put thousands of people at risk of unjust detention and abuse.鈥�
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
