Just-A-Stick

1. Is it within Texas' Constitutional right to defend their borders?

Yes, Article IV section 4: “The United States shall guarantee to every state in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislative or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.” I think that this is fairly clear that Texas has the right to defend their border.  

2. According to the Constitution, is it within the power of the Federal Government to limit a state's ability to protect its borders?

Article I section 10: “No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.” I think the answer is yes, because this paragraph outlines all the things that the Federal Government can control.  

3. What does the Constitution say about immigration? 

Article I section 8 clause 4: “To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;” The Constitution clears up the confusion that would happen if individual states could grant citizenship. 

4. What does the Constitution say about States making alliances?

Article I section 10: “No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.” Basically, not allowed to make alliances, or treaties or whatever you want to call it. 

5. According to the Constitution, who commands the army? 

Article II section 2: “The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several states, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in the Cases of Impeachment.” Very, very clearly says that it’s the President who commands the Army, as well as the Navy, and most likely the other branches of the Military as well. ( Air Force, Coast guard, Marine Corps, Space Force)   

6. What does the Constitution say about the Navy and Militia? Who is in charge of them?

Article II section 2: “The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several states, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in the Cases of Impeachment.” Yet again, the President commands both the Navy and Militia. 

7. Define what a militia is.

A military force that is raised from the civil population to supplement a regular army in an emergency.

8. What are your thoughts on immigration? Include reasons/evidence.

I believe that immigration is very beneficial to our country. It keeps our country from becoming isolated. It also upholds ideals our country is built on; ideals like the ‘American Dream’, that anyone from anywhere can become anything. I also feel that if it is possible to help people worse off than ourselves, then we should do so, but in a legal, and fair manner. I don’t approve of illegal immigration. Such things could allow dangerous people into our country, thus making it less safe for citizens. I also don’t approve of making innocent children the face of all this, and using slander in news articles. The children have nothing to do with the struggles of power in our country, and I think that this is a guilt trip, and purely propaganda. 

9. Do you agree with Gov. Abbott's actions?

‘Agree with’ is a strong term, however, I do think it’s wise to protect Texas  borders against illegal immigration. I don’t think there should be so much propaganda and defying the Federal Government. The Government is there for a reason, and even if we don’t agree with everything that they say, they are still our authority and that means obeying them, even if we don’t agree.

10. Do you agree with President Biden's approach to the situation?

I don’t think that it’s ‘Unconstitutional’ to protect borders. I don’t like that Biden is trying to control everything, but none of this is my area of expertise, so I’m still fuzzy on details. 

11. Do you agree with the Philadelphia Inquirer's statement that the situation at Eagle Pass is today's "Fort Sumter"?

No, not at all. This feels very full of propaganda, and meant to get a reaction. It feels very unnecessary. 

12. Who is Border Control? 

One of the world’s largest law enforcement organizations and the United States’ first unified border agency.

13. How many illegal immigrants are crossing the border in comparison to the number of legal immigrants at the Mexico border?

Aprox. 285,000 legal immigrants became citizens in 2023. On the other side of the coin, 670,000 illegal immigrants crossed the border in 2023