By Matthew Hayward  9/19/2025  The Supreme Court just paused a lower court order that had limited federal immigration stops in Los Angeles. That stay lets federal agents resume roving patrols and interior operations that critics say rely on appearance, language, job, or neighborhood to pick people for questioning.  This matters because it normalizes a posture of suspicion. Checkpoints miles inland and roving patrols turn movement inside the country into a condition to be earned rather than a freedom to be enjoyed. The government already claims expanded authority inside the 100-mile border zone. That claim, plus an open green light for stops based on appearance, is a recipe for arbitrary enforcement.  Philosophy of resistance John Locke told us that the consent of the governed is the foundation of legitimate power. When rulers invade life, liberty, or property, or when they become arbitrary disposers of people’s lives and fortunes, the social compact is dissolve...

By Matthew Hayward  In the wake of a rare tragedy, it is not uncommon for policymakers to propose public policies with far-reaching implications for the general public. The goal is often to protect a small number of people from harm, whether from themselves, a criminal, or a crazed individual. However, the metrics and methodology used to justify such policies are often flawed, leading to unintended consequences and a loss of personal liberties. One of the main issues with using rare tragedies to justify public policy is that they are statistically insignificant. For example, in the United States, mass shootings make up a tiny fraction of all gun deaths. Yet, they receive disproportionate attention in the media and from policymakers. This leads to a skewed perception of the danger posed by guns and a rush to pass laws that may not be effective in addressing the underlying issues. Furthermore, even when rare tragedies occur, it is often difficult to determine the root cause of the pr...