Author Archives: Mike Baker

Court Says No: How the President’s Tariff Powers Were Put in Check

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Mike Baker

The U.S. Constitution is clear: Congress, not the President, holds the power to set tariffs and regulate foreign trade. These are fundamental legislative powers that help maintain the balance of government and protect individual freedoms. While Congress can delegate some … Continue reading →

Posted in Tariff Power | Leave a comment

Matter of Gilton Bain: When Criminal History Outweighs Family Ties in U.S. Immigration Law: Rules for Cancellation of Removal and the Role of Rehabilitation

Posted on May 27, 2025 by Mike Baker

Matter of Gilton Bain: When Criminal History Outweighs Family Ties in U.S. Immigration Law The Matter of Gilton Bain is a significant and recently designated precedent in immigration law. The Board of Immigration Appeals issued its decision on February 6, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancellation of Removal, Family ties, rehabilitation | Leave a comment

Juan Paramore’s Story: A Hypothetical Portrait of How GOP Cuts Sacrifice Healthcare to Fund Billionaire Tax Breaks

Posted on May 23, 2025 by Mike Baker

Juan Paramore is a hypothetical composite based on the real-world impacts of the Republican “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” His story illustrates how cutting Medicaid to fund tax breaks for the wealthy destabilizes families, communities, and public health. The Republican … Continue reading →

Posted in Medicaid Cuts & Immigrant Access in Illinois, Republican Healthcare Legislation, Undocumented Immigrants & Illinois Health Policy | Leave a comment

The Principled Man: Ancient Sacrifice, Modern Privilege, and the Lost Art of Choosing Between Opposites

Posted on May 23, 2025 by Mike Baker

The Principled Man: Ancient Sacrifice, Modern Privilege, and the Lost Art of Choosing Between Opposites I. The Privilege of Principle in America America stands nearly alone in history, offering its citizens material wealth and the rare opportunity to live by … Continue reading →

Posted in Civic Virtue & Leadership, Culture & Modernity, Philosophy & Ethics | Leave a comment

When Federal Immigration Enforcement Collides with State Judicial Authority

Posted on May 17, 2025 by Mike Baker

The cases of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan and Massachusetts Judge Shelley Joseph represent a modern chapter in America’s oldest constitutional tension: federal enforcement power versus state judicial autonomy. In 2018, during the Trump administration, Judge Joseph was charged with … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti-Commandeering Doctrine | Leave a comment