What Is Federalism?

            The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday is the constitutional separation of power. The first type of division of power is known as Federalism, meaning the division of power between the national or federal government and the state and local government. The second type is the division of power between the three major branches of federal government – the Legislative, the Executive, and the Judicial branches of government. This post will share an example of Federalism.

            The first week in office, the Biden administration opened the borders and invited anyone and everyone who desires to come into the United States. The numbers of migrants who have entered the United States illegally are now in the millions – with more millions expected in the next months.

            Numerous states are pushing back on Biden’s open borders policy, particularly the states located along the borders. According to Callie Patteson, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced multiple actions to protect Texas and fight back against the Biden policies. 

“To help local officials – because communities are being overwhelmed by hordes of illegal immigrants who are being dropped off by the Biden Administration – Texas is providing charter buses for these illegal immigrants who have been dropped off to Washington, D.C.,” the Republican governor said Wednesday.

“We are sending them to the United States capital where the Biden administration will be able to more immediately address the needs of the people that they are allowing to come across our border,” he added.

            Abbott’s announcement came seven weeks prior to the time that the Biden administration lifts the Title 42 immigration order. The announcement contained several separate actions.

·         State troopers will conduct “enhanced safety inspections” at international points of entry” by “stopping and inspecting commercial vehicles coming across the U.S.-Mexico border” – effective immediately and “dramatically slow[ing]” incoming vehicle traffic.

·         Bus charters would be made available “to take illegal migrants to Washington, D.C.”

·         The Texas Division of Emergency Management will direct the operation.

·         There will be “increased military activity” on the Mexican border to “install razor wire at some low-water along the river to deter migrants from crossing.” The National Guard will be issued riot gear to protect against caravan violence. The military will reinforce border agents “to deal with a potential influx of undocumented immigrants.”

·         The state will install “blockades on roads leading to border towns.”

According to Abbott, “Texas will continue to evaluate, press, and oppose the Biden

Administration’s open border policies and announce additional actions next week to respond to the unprecedented illegal border crossings.” Abbott’s actions are possible because the Constitution gives States the right to protect their people. The sad thing is that Abbott is protecting Texans from the federal government that is tasked by the Constitution to stop invasions into the States.