It seems that Judge Roy Altman has found himself in quite a pickle. In a stunning display of judicial flip-flopping, the good judge has managed to tie himself in knots over Governor Ron DeSantis’s immigration law. It’s like watching a legal version of a dog chasing its own tail, and I, for one, am here for the entertainment.
Let’s start at the beginning, shall we? On Tuesday, Judge Altman, in a moment of apparent clarity, issued an injunction temporarily blocking a critical part of DeSantis’s law that would have made transporting migrants into Florida a felony. Siding with the Farmworker Association of Florida, Altman declared that the law was preempted by federal law. Cue the liberal cheers and the gnashing of conservative teeth.
But wait, there’s more! Just a day later, Judge Altman decided to “clarify” his preliminary injunction’s scope, stating that there were numerous reasons a state-wide injunction would be appropriate. It’s like he woke up and thought, “You know what? I think I’ll just muddy the waters a bit and keep everyone on their toes.”
But the real kicker came hours later when Altman issued another order, this time claiming that “on further reflection,” he would host a briefing about the injunction’s “proper scope.” Further reflection? More like further confusion! It’s as if the judge is playing a game of legal hopscotch, jumping from one position to another without any clear direction.
Now, all parties involved have until June 6 to submit briefs on whether the injunction should apply to the plaintiffs or be a district- or state-wide injunction. I’m sure the lawyers are thrilled about the extra paperwork and the opportunity to decode Judge Altman’s ever-changing stance.
Let’s not forget the arguments made by Republican Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who claimed that the injunction would prevent law enforcement from doing its job, including efforts to identify possible drug traffickers. Because apparently, the only way to catch drug dealers is to target migrants who are just trying to make a better life for themselves. Brilliant logic there, Ms. Moody.
And then there’s the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), whose senior staff attorney, Spencer Amdur, praised Judge Altman’s original decision, stating that the law would threaten ordinary Floridians with “jail time for doing the most ordinary things.” I’m sorry, but since when is transporting illegal migrants considered an “ordinary thing”? I must have missed that memo.
At the end of the day, this whole debacle is just another example of the left’s relentless attempts to undermine the rule of law and prioritize the interests of illegal immigrants over those of American citizens. Governor DeSantis’s efforts to secure Florida’s borders and protect his constituents should be applauded, not subjected to legal gymnastics by a judge who can’t seem to make up his mind.
So, here’s a message for Judge Altman: make a decision and stick with it. The people of Florida deserve better than a wishy-washy judge who changes his opinion more often than a chameleon changes colors. And to the ACLU and the Farmworker Association of Florida, I say this: if you’re so concerned about the well-being of illegal migrants, perhaps you should focus your efforts on helping them navigate the legal immigration process instead of trying to circumvent the law.
In the meantime, grab your popcorn, folks, because this legal circus is far from over. With Judge Altman at the helm, who knows what kind of acrobatics we’ll see next? One thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a wild ride.
