They aren't completely artificial. It is important for our own freedom that our different levels of government have limitations on their power, sepecially when it comes to ordering the military around.
It is the role of the Federal Government, and the problem is that not enough voters are taking the issue seriously enough and that they keep electing socially liberal politicians (Bush included) who won't protect our borders and enforce controlled and legal immigration.
It MUST be done at the federal level, and there hasn't been a presidential candidate from either party in the last three elections that came anywhere close to winning even their party primary that was serious about securing our border.
It's an issue that many Americans want addressed, but apparently they don't feel strongly enough to have it be one of the most important issues in how they vote.
Until that changes, we aren't going to see major policy changes.
You’re not getting it.
The federal government is in a state of treason to its citizens. One of the few enumerated duties that the Constitution sets forth for the federal government, is that of protecting American citizens from invasion. They have clearly failed in that primary responsibility.
Not only that, they have attacked a state which dared to exert their God-given right to defend themselves from that same invasion, when the federal government refused to do its duty.
The American people’s right to self-defense supersedes the Constitution and every local, state, and federal statute. I think you understand that our rights are NOT conferred by the state, but by the Creator.
You can argue that the federal government holds legal jurisdiction over our international boundaries all you like, but if that government willfully refuses to uphold their responsibility to protect us, then all bets are off.