The Future of Sovereignty
Democracy in the age of asymmetry, secession, charter cities, and network states.
“But to the extent your agency demands access in order to once again transform Shelby Park into ‘an unofficial and unlawful port of entry’ […] your request is hereby denied.”
With these words, in a letter published on January 26th, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton denied the Biden administration’s demand for Texas forces to vacate Shelby State Park. The mandate came after weeks of escalating disputes between Texas and the federal government over immigration enforcement and border protection.
Earlier this year, Texas claimed to be under an illegal immigrant “invasion” which, under Article I of the Constitution, grants the State the right to self-defense. It installed razor wire along several crossing points in the Rio Grande and moved to patrol the area with state troopers. Since then, several states — most traditionally Republican — have piled in, pledging support for the Lone Star State.
In a 5–4 decision on January 22nd, the Supreme Court authorized U.S. border patrol agents to cut the razor wire Texas had installed. Weeks have gone by and not only does the razor wire…
