Illegal Immigration and the Federalist SystemThe influx of illegal immigrants into the United States significantly affects all levels of government. Although the real effects of illegal immigration are hotly debated, the government still faces a difficult task of balancing the massive amounts of data and the diversity of public opinion in order to best respond to the will overall population. In recent times, we have witnessed a considerable gap between what voters want for their state and what the nation as a whole considers constitutionally justifiable. This is why the need for a federal system, in which the national government wages a real fierce struggle with its states, comes to light. Using the issue of illegal immigration as a model, we can see how the national and state governments are obligated to cooperate and sometimes facilitate policy success when resolving relatively complex questions of law. First, through a system of checks and balances, the national government proposes and passes laws that are ultimately implemented at the federal and state levels. Passing and implementing these or any other types of laws is arduous to say the least and requires coordination of all three branches of government. The president's duties are relatively simple and straightforward: a proposal is passed by Congress and he either signs the bill or vetoes it. As in the case of illegal immigration, President Barack Obama signed legislation in February 2009 called The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, in which "$400 million in funds [will be budgeted] to strengthen the security and infrastructure of ports of entry on the southwest border” (“Immigration”). Before this particular bill...... middle of paper ......gov > "Legislative Records" > "Bill Text - 109th" > key search term "REAL ID".United States of America. Cong. 112th legislature. 1st session. "A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to American citizenship. SJ Res. 2." Washington: GPO, 2011. Print. United States of America. Cong. 112th legislature. 1st session. “Clear Enforcement of the Law on the Removal of Foreign Criminals Act of 2011.” » HR 100 IH. Washington: GPO, 2011. Print. United States of America. National Conference of State Legislatures. “NCSL REAL ID Act of 2005 Driver’s License Title Summary.” Ed. Cheye Calvo. PDF File.Wood, Daniel B. “After Arizona, Why Are 10 States Considering Immigration Bills?” CSMonitor.com. May 10, 2010. the web. February 12. 2011. .