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For some time now, there have been some libertarians who have tried desperately to convince themselves and others that Americas system of immigration controls, rather than open borders, is the genuine libertarian position.

Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Thats because of the libertarian non-aggression principle. It holds that people are free to engage in any peaceful act so long as their conduct does not consist of the initiation of force or fraud. Since crossing a political border is an entirely peaceful act, it is the genuine libertarian position.

But there is another way we can tell that Americas system of immigration controls is not libertarian, something that libertarian proponents of immigration controls never repeat never confront and address because it is so uncomfortable for them to do so. Americas system of immigration controls comes with a police state. And there is no possible way to reconcile the libertarian philosophy with a police state, which is what makes libertarian proponents of immigration controls so uncomfortable.

Lets examine some examples of this immigration police state, both recent and longstanding, and ask ourselves a simple question: Is it really possible that the libertarian philosophy embraces these police-state measures? I think the question answers itself but lets ask the question with each police-state measure we examine.

1. Concertina wire along the U.S. side of the Rio Grande. Does concertina wire sound like a libertarian thing? And take a look at this article from the August 31, 2023, Houston Chronicle, which states that Texas troopers treated 133 migrants for injuries from the razor wire over a period of just two months last summer. Do injuries from immigration-control concertina wire sound libertarian?

2. Long strings of buoys placed in the Rio Grande, some of which have underwater concertina wire that cannot be seen. Take a look at this article in USA Today detailing the deaths of two people that appear to have been caused by this aspect of immigration controls. Do those deaths sound libertarian?

3. The Berlin Wall that is being constructed along the border. Does a Berlin Wall sound libertarian? See this November 14, 2023, article from the New York Times whose title says it all: Border Wall Falls Leave Migrants With Devastating and Costly Injuries. Do devastating and costly injuries arising from a Berlin Wall sound libertarian?

4. Warrantless searches of farms and ranches by the Border Patrol within 100 miles of the border. Do searches that violate the Fourth Amendment sound libertarian?

5. Fixed highway checkpoints that subject people who have never entered Mexico to questions, demands for documents production, and warrantless searches. Do those things sound libertarian?

6. Roving Border Patrol warrantless stops and warrantless searches, where the Border Patrol simply stops and searches any vehicle it wants that is traveling near the border. Does that sound libertarian?

7. The criminalization of hiring, transporting, harboring, or caring of illegal immigrants. Does the criminalization of such peaceful acts sound libertarian?

8. The warrantiess boarding of Greyhound buses and the demand that passengers produce their papers. Does that sound libertarian?

9. Violent raids on American businesses that have hired illegal immigrants to work in their businesses. Does that sound libertarian?

Finally, its worth noting that Americas immigration-control system is a socialist system, one based on the core socialist principle of central planning. Thats the reason for Americas decades-old, perpetual, never-ending immigration crisis. That is the inherently defective system that libertarian advocates of immigration controls still think that they are going to reform and fix. Does socialism sound libertarian?

Of course, like everyone else, libertarians are free to advocate Americas system of immigration controls or any other statist measure. But they are wrong when they maintain that libertarianism is a philosophy of death, injuries, suffering, and an immigration police state. Libertarianism is a consistent philosophy that comes with life, peace, prosperity, and harmony.

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A Police State Is Not Libertarian The Future of Freedom Foundation - The Future of Freedom Foundation

Matt Welch, editor-at-large for Reason and podcaster on The Reason Roundtable andThe Fifth Column with Kmele Foster and Michael Moynihan, joinsReason's Zach Weissmueller and Liz Wolfe on the latest episode of Just Asking Questions to discuss the recent Iowa caucus results and talk about what it means for the 2024 election going forward.

They also talk about where libertarians and independents are leaning in the presidential race and some of the increasingly glaring divides within libertarianism that have led different factions to pursue very different strategies and hold widely divergent views of political candidates like former President Donald Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.

Watch the full conversation on Reason's YouTube channel or on the Just Asking Questions podcast feed on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcatcher.

Rand Paul announces he's "Never Nikki" on X.com

Libertarian Party of Iowa poll results

Dave Smith on libertarian populism on Just Asking Questions

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Matt Welch: What's Wrong With Populism? - Reason

The Libertarian Party has qualified as an official party with ballot access in Maine, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced Friday.

As of Jan. 2 the deadline to qualify 5,168 Maine voters had enrolled in the Libertarian Party. At least 5,000 members were needed to be declared an official party in Maine.

The Libertarian Party will now have ballot access, including for the 2024 presidential race. It joins the Democratic, Green Independent, No Labels and Republican Parties as officially qualified parties in Maine.

Two other parties had filed to begin enrolling new voters toward new party formation. Neither the Forward Party nor the Peoples Party submitted the necessary paperwork before the deadline.

Maines 2024 primaries will be held under the new semi-open primary law. Unenrolled voters now have the option to vote in any party primary without having to enroll in that party. Unenrolled voters may only vote in one partys primary.

Voters enrolled in a party can only vote in that partys primary ballot. Enrolled voters must change enrollment at least 15 days prior to a primary if they wish to vote in a different partys primary, and they may not change their party enrollment again for 3 months unless they move to a new municipality and establish a new voting residence there.

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Libertarians form an official political party in Maine - Press Herald

(Des Moines) Chase Oliver, former Libertarian Party candidate for the US Senate in Georgia, emerged as the winner of the 2024 LPIA Presidential Preference Straw Poll in Iowa.

The Libertarian Party of Iowa said despite the frigid temperatures that swept across the state, Libertarians convened for the 2024 Libertarian Party of Iowa Caucus. These resilient individuals not only exercised their democratic rights but actively contributed to the formation of county parties, the election of delegates to district/state conventions, and the expression of their preferences for the eventual LP Presidential nominee. This marked the first time the Libertarian Party of Iowa has held a caucus during a Presidential campaign as a major party.

With 98 of 99 counties reporting results of the straw poll stand as such:

Chase Oliver 42.70%

Michael Rectenwald 16.85%

Michael ter Maat 13.48%

Joshua Smith 13.48%

Vivek Ramaswamy 4.49%

Mario Perales 2.25%

Robert Sansone 2.25%

Jacob Hornberger 1.12%

Lars Mapstead 1.12%

Art Olivier 1.12%

NOTA (None of the Above) 1.12%

Delegates elected Monday night will reconvene in Des Moines onFebruary 16-17th for the District/State Conventions. Here, they will play a crucial role in electing the new State Central Committee and delegates to the Libertarian National Convention in Washington D.C. onMay 24th-26th.

Story Content (c) 2024 Meredith Communications LC - All Rights Reserved.

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Libertarian Party of Iowa Makes History with Presidential Straw Poll at Iowa Caucus - KSOM

As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are reminded of a man whose unwavering commitment to justice and equality left an indelible mark on the pages of history. Dr. Kings activism, fueled by an unyielding spirit and a dream of a better, more just world, serves as an inspiration for modern libertarians seeking to make a profound difference in their communities.

Dr. Kings life was a testament to the transformative power of activism. In an era marked by racial segregation and discrimination, he fearlessly stood against injustice, advocating for civil rights and equality. His activism was not merely a series of protests; it was a strategic and relentless pursuit of a vision where all individuals, regardless of race, would enjoy the full rights and privileges of citizenship.

What set Dr. King apart was his never-say-die spirit. Faced with adversity, violence, and numerous challenges, he remained resolute in his pursuit of justice. His famous I Have a Dream speech echoes through the corridors of time, a powerful testament to his enduring optimism and belief in the possibility of a brighter, more equitable future.

As libertarians today navigate the complexities of their own social and political landscapes, there are valuable lessons to be gleaned from Dr. Kings activism:

In modern times, libertarians can honor Dr. Kings legacy by actively engaging with their communities and advocating for policies that promote liberty and justice. Whether through grassroots activism, community outreach, or political participation, Dr. Kings principles can serve as a guiding light for those seeking to bring about positive change.

As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., let us reflect on his life, his activism, and the enduring lessons he imparts to libertarians today. In the spirit of Dr. King, may we strive to create a world where the principles of liberty and justice are not just ideals but lived realities for all.

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A Beacon of Activism and Liberty for Modern Libertarians - Libertarian Party