Nancy Abudu

Florida is appealing an injunction blocking its 2023 law (SB 1718), which criminalizes transporting individuals who illegally entered the U.S. and were not inspected by federal authorities. The 11th Circuit is reviewing whether the law conflicts with federal immigration authority, with judges questioning if it is preempted by existing federal statutes. The Farmworker Association of Florida argues the law is unconstitutionally vague and overbroad, fearing felony charges for transporting farmworkers.

The 11th Circuit unanimously ruled that the federal government's use of private accreditation agencies to determine eligibility for financial aid at public colleges is constitutional, rejecting Florida's challenge to the Higher Education Act. Florida argued the system violated constitutional clauses, but the court found the accreditation requirement reasonable and consistent with Congress's goal of ensuring federal aid goes to quality institutions.

Two cryptocurrency creators, Michael Kane (CEO of Hydrogen Technology) and Shane Hampton (head of engineering), are challenging their federal convictions in the 11th Circuit for securities fraud related to manipulating the price of Hydro cryptocurrency tokens using automated bots. They were convicted in 2024 of conspiring to commit securities price manipulation and wire fraud, with Kane receiving a three-year and nine-month sentence and Hampton a two-year and 11-month sentence.

A U.S. federal judge awarded $6.2 million to Irfan Khan, a Pakistani-born man who was wrongfully accused of terrorism and held in solitary confinement for nearly a year before charges were dropped. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals is considering overturning the award, with two judges suggesting law enforcement should not be liable for a poorly conducted but not intentionally misleading investigation.