(FLOORIDA) A federal judge’s April 2025 order blocking Florida’s new immigration crime has not stopped some officers from making arrests under the suspended statute, setting up a clash between the courtroom and the street that has led to dropped charges, civil contempt findings, and growing fear in immigrant communities.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a temporary restraining order and then a preliminary injunction against the Florida immigration law known as SB 4-C, which creates state crimes for undocumented people entering or re-entering Florida. The judge found the law likely unconstitutional because immigration is a federal, not state, responsibility and because the measure could interfere with federal statutes and the U.S. Constitution’s commerce clause. The injunction remains in effect as of October 8, 2025.
Despite the clear order, records show at least 27 arrests statewide under SB 4-C after the ruling, including some involving U.S. citizens and lawful residents who should never have been charged. Prosecutors have been dismissing those cases and reminding officers that they cannot enforce the law while the court’s order stands.
Judge Williams, citing continued violations, found Florida’s attorney general in civil contempt and now requires bimonthly reports that list any arrests or citations made under the blocked law.
Appeals and the court landscape
- The state tried more than once to get the injunction lifted.
- The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Florida’s request.
- The U.S. Supreme Court also declined to step in, leaving the judge’s order in place while the lawsuit continues.
- Oral arguments on the state’s appeal are scheduled for later in October 2025.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the combination of a firm trial court order and two appellate refusals underscores how tough it will be for the state to revive SB 4-C before a full decision on the merits.
“The injunction remains in effect,” the courts have effectively said, and that has major implications for enforcement and liability.
How a blocked law kept getting enforced
The court ordered Florida officials to notify all law enforcement agencies that SB 4-C could not be enforced. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sent guidance, but later stated he could not prevent individual officers from making arrests. That stance helped fuel confusion across departments.
Some agencies complied quickly; others continued to rely on the new statute. This led to arrests by the Florida Highway Patrol and local police in multiple jurisdictions even months after the injunction.
Judge Williams’ April orders rested on well-established limits: states cannot run their own parallel immigration crime systems because Congress gave the federal government the lead in this area. The court also raised concerns that SB 4-C would burden interstate commerce by penalizing people moving across state lines—a point tied to the commerce clause.
Those constitutional issues persuaded the 11th Circuit to keep the injunction in place, and the Supreme Court’s refusal to lift it means the law remains frozen.
Legal consequences and practical impact
Legal experts say the result is straightforward:
- No Florida prosecutor can lawfully pursue an SB 4-C case while the injunction stands.
- Any arrest under the blocked law risks a false imprisonment claim.
- Prosecutors have been dropping charges and issuing reminders to agencies about the court order.
Still, as recently as August 2025, officers made new arrests under SB 4-C, prompting immediate dismissals.
For people on the ground, the confusion is not academic. Families have watched relatives taken into custody on charges that cannot stand, only to be released after hours or days of stress. Some detained were U.S. citizens or green card holders who, under any reading of the law, were not covered.
The harm is both legal and personal:
- Lost wages
- Missed school pickups
- Fear that routine stops could escalate
Because of continuing violations, the judge found the attorney general in civil contempt and demanded regular reporting on compliance. Those bimonthly updates are meant to track arrests and provide a paper trail that can be used to hold agencies accountable.
What immigrants, police, and courts are doing now
- As of today, the injunction remains in effect. SB 4-C is not enforceable anywhere in Florida.
- The 11th Circuit and Supreme Court have left the order intact, and prosecutors continue to dismiss any SB 4-C cases that slip through.
- Oral arguments on the state’s appeal this month could shape the next phase, but until a higher court rules otherwise, the law is blocked.
For officers and agencies, the message from courts and prosecutors is clear: do not arrest or charge anyone under SB 4-C.
For everyday Floridians, especially mixed-status families, practical steps include:
- Carry reliable identification.
- Know your rights.
- If stopped or detained, ask what you are being charged with.
- If an officer cites SB 4-C, that charge is barred by the court’s order.
Public defenders and private attorneys have been citing the injunction in bond hearings and first appearances to secure immediate releases.
People with prior arrests under the blocked law should consult counsel about records and possible civil remedies. Actions to consider:
- Sealing or expunging dismissed cases
- Pursuing claims for wrongful arrest
Lawyers stress one point: no one can be prosecuted under SB 4-C while the injunction is in place.
To help the public understand injunctions, the federal judiciary offers a plain-English explanation on the U.S. Courts website: U.S. Courts: Injunctions. It explains how injunctions work, why judges use them, and what happens when parties ignore them.
Community response and agency practices
Immigrant advocates and civil rights groups have organized hotlines and know-your-rights sessions across the state. They report continued confusion, especially in rural counties and along major highways.
Advocates advise people to:
- Keep copies of key documents (work permits, green cards)
- Contact legal help immediately if detained
Some law enforcement agencies have taken steps to reduce exposure to legal risk:
- Updated roll-call briefings
- Posted the court order on internal portals
- Asked prosecutors to provide training
An emerging pattern: agencies that distributed the order quickly saw fewer mistaken arrests; those relying on informal word of mouth saw more.
State-level politics continue in the background. Supporters of SB 4-C argue Florida needs stronger tools to deter repeat border crossers and human smuggling. Opponents point to federal preemption and the risk of profiling and wrongful arrests. So far, federal courts have sided with opponents on the critical question of who can write and enforce immigration crimes in the U.S.
Families, employers, and schools are feeling ripple effects:
- Employers worry about disrupted shifts and morale after wrongful arrests.
- Schools report anxiety among students with mixed-status parents.
- Faith groups are offering transportation support and legal clinics.
These local responses show how a single state law, even while on hold, can unsettle daily life.
Key takeaways
- SB 4-C is blocked under a federal injunction and cannot be enforced while the order stands.
- Arrests have continued in some places despite the order; prosecutors are dismissing those charges.
- A civil contempt order requires the attorney general to file bimonthly compliance reports.
- Appeal arguments are set for October 2025, but until a court changes course, the injunction controls.
If you or someone you know is arrested under SB 4-C:
- Ask to speak with a lawyer immediately.
- Keep copies of any charging documents.
- Counsel can move to dismiss based on the federal injunction.
- Attorneys may pursue civil remedies for wrongful detention.
VisaVerge.com reports that individuals affected by an arrest under a blocked law often have strong grounds to challenge the stop and seek relief.
State judges and clerks also play a role. When SB 4-C cases appear on dockets, clerks often flag them for prosecutors, who then file dismissals. Training for intake officers, jail staff, and booking supervisors can prevent wrongful detentions.
The court’s requirement for regular compliance reports should create better feedback loops, but that will depend on accurate reporting from every agency.
What’s next
The next legal milestone is the 11th Circuit’s hearing later this month. A decision could take weeks or months, and further appeals are likely.
For now, the legal status is clear: the injunction remains in effect, and SB 4-C is not enforceable anywhere in Florida. The larger practical question is whether every officer, dispatcher, and supervisor will follow it. Families across the state are hoping the answer is finally yes.
This Article in a Nutshell
In April 2025, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction blocking Florida’s SB 4-C, determining the statute likely conflicts with federal immigration authority and the Constitution’s commerce clause. Despite that order, at least 27 arrests occurred statewide under SB 4-C, including cases involving U.S. citizens and lawful residents; prosecutors have dismissed those charges. Both the 11th Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to lift the injunction, and oral arguments on the state’s appeal are scheduled for October 2025. Citing ongoing violations, the judge held the attorney general in civil contempt and imposed bimonthly reporting requirements to monitor compliance. The injunction remains in effect, and legal experts warn that arrests under the blocked law risk civil claims for false imprisonment. Advocates and agencies urge people to know their rights, carry identification, and consult counsel if charged under SB 4-C. The outcome of the appeals could take weeks or months, but until further court action, SB 4-C cannot be enforced anywhere in Florida.
