A federal judge in Miami overseeing a significant immigration case has found Attorney General James Uthmeier in contempt of court for violating her restraining order. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams criticized Uthmeier's actions, stating that he crossed the line by informing police agencies to continue enforcing a new state law criminalizing undocumented immigrants arriving in Florida.

Williams emphasized that litigants cannot alter the clear meaning of words to suit their needs, especially when conveying a court's unambiguous order. She cited a passage from Lewis Carroll's classic book, 'Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There,' stating that fidelity to the rule of law cannot have any other meaning.

As a consequence, Williams instructed Uthmeier to file bi-weekly reports detailing any arrests, detentions, or law enforcement actions under the statute. The first report is due by July 1, and Uthmeier can request modifications to these reporting requirements in six months.

Uthmeier, a Florida native who previously served as Gov. Ron DeSantis' chief of staff, was appointed as the state's attorney general in February. Despite not appearing at hearings before Williams, Uthmeier initially complied with the restraining order but later reversed his stance in a follow-up letter to police agencies, leading to the contempt ruling.

During a recent hearing, Uthmeier's defense lawyer argued against the judge's assertion of contempt, stating that the attorney general's letter did not violate the restraining order. However, legal experts have questioned this defense, emphasizing that parties cannot ignore court rulings even if they disagree with them.

In a separate ruling, a federal appeals panel upheld Williams' injunction blocking the enforcement of the state law criminalizing undocumented immigrants. The panel rejected Uthmeier's challenge, stating that the district court's order, while potentially broad, must be obeyed.

Williams also expressed concern over Uthmeier's public comments in TV interviews and social media, where he criticized the court's jurisdiction. The attorney general's office has faced backlash for attempting to evade the court's order, with critics labeling it as contempt of court.

The legal battle between Williams and Uthmeier stems from a lawsuit filed by immigrant groups challenging the constitutionality of the state law. Williams has maintained that federal law supersedes state laws when it comes to immigration enforcement, leading to the ongoing dispute between the judge and the attorney general.