Each student will prepare a memo on a specific policy that has resulted in conflicts and/or challenges among the levels of government. The memo should explain the specific policy, jurisdictions and actors involved, legal issues (laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and judicial action and rulings), and challenges to policy implementation (administrative, fiscal, political).Detailed instructions are posted on Moodle. See below for examples of policies:

QUESTION

Each student will prepare a memo on a specific policy that has resulted in conflicts and/or challenges among the levels of government. The memo should explain the specific policy, jurisdictions and actors involved, legal issues (laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and judicial action and rulings), and challenges to policy implementation (administrative, fiscal, political).Detailed instructions are posted on Moodle. See below for examples of policies:

1) Health care policy: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the role of states in implementation such as the creation of health insurance exchanges and the expansion of Medicaid amid ongoing legal challenges.

2) Immigration policy: Stateimmigration laws (Arizona, Alabama, etc.) and how they may or may not conflict with federal policy; local regulations regarding immigration such as sanctuary laws.

3) Environmental policy: Climate change, fracking laws and regulations, and the role of the EPA and state and local governments.

4) Civil Rights policy: Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) and the authority to define marriage and state/local resistance to the U.S. Supreme Court decision.

5) Education policy: Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Obama’s Race to the Topand the challenges of implementation for state and local governments.

6) Drug policy: State medical marijuana and recreational marijuana laws, how they conflict with federal drug laws, and the Obama Administration’s enforcement of such laws.

Purpose of memo: To expose students to a critical public policy issue involving a conflict between the federal/state/local governments, the challenges of implementing policy (administrative, fiscal, and political), and the role of the federal courts as arbiter of the conflict among governments.

ANSWER

Policy Memo: Conflicts and Challenges in Implementing Immigration Policy

Executive Summary

This policy memo examines the conflicts and challenges surrounding immigration policy, specifically focusing on state immigration laws and their potential conflicts with federal policy. It explores the jurisdictions and actors involved, legal issues, and the implementation challenges faced at the administrative, fiscal, and political levels. The memo highlights the role of federal courts in arbitrating conflicts among governments and provides insights into the complex nature of immigration policy in the United States.

Introduction

The introduction provides an overview of the significance of immigration policy and the ongoing conflicts between federal and state governments. It introduces the specific focus of the memo, which is to analyze state immigration laws and their potential conflicts with federal policy.

Policy Description and Actors Involved

This section outlines the specific policy under consideration, including state immigration laws enacted by various states such as Arizona and Alabama. It identifies the jurisdictions and actors involved, including federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), state governments, and local law enforcement agencies.

Legal Issues

The legal issues surrounding immigration policy are discussed in detail, including the potential conflicts with federal immigration laws and the Constitution. It explores the laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations that come into play, as well as judicial actions and rulings that have shaped the landscape of immigration policy.

Challenges to Policy Implementation

This section delves into the challenges faced in implementing immigration policy at the administrative, fiscal, and political levels. It examines the complexities of coordinating efforts between federal and state agencies, the financial burden on state and local governments, and the political debates and resistance surrounding immigration policy.

Role of Federal Courts

The role of federal courts as an arbiter of conflicts among governments is highlighted in this section. It discusses the legal battles and litigation that have ensued between federal and state governments, with federal courts often being tasked with interpreting and resolving the conflicts arising from differing immigration policies.

Conclusion

The conclusion summarizes the main points discussed in the memo, emphasizing the complexities and challenges of implementing immigration policy in the United States. It underscores the importance of understanding the conflicts among federal, state, and local governments and the role of federal courts in shaping immigration policy.

By examining the conflicts and challenges surrounding immigration policy, this memo aims to shed light on the complexities of the issue and provide insights into the interplay between different levels of government. It underscores the need for effective coordination, legal clarity, and thoughtful policy implementation in addressing the ongoing immigration debates in the United States.