Supreme Court Won’t Revive Aggressive Florida Immigration Law

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to revive an aggressive Florida immigration law that had been blocked by lower courts. The law would let state officials prosecute unauthorized migrants who enter the state.

The court’s one-sentence order gave no reasons, which is typical when the justices act on emergency applications. There were no noted dissents.

The law, adopted by Florida lawmakers this year, created two new crimes. The first, entering the state after eluding federal authorities, called for a mandatory nine-month misdemeanor sentence for a first offense and escalating felony sentences for later ones.

The second crime, re-entering the state after having been deported, is a felony. The law requires people arrested on suspicion of violating either provision to be jailed without bond while their cases proceed.

Two migrants and immigrations rights groups quickly challenged the law, saying it interfered with the federal government’s power to set immigration policy and to conduct foreign affairs.

Judge Kathleen M. Williams, of the Federal District Court in Miami, temporarily blocked enforcement of the law.