Final answer:
The conflict between federal and state laws is evident in immigration issues, particularly since the 1990s when states started to move into the policy realm of immigration. This has resulted in state laws sometimes contradicting federal regulations, thus creating friction between the two levels of government. Such clashes are arbitrated by the Supreme Court, which has the authority to either preserve or erode the autonomy of one level of government.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of when federal and state laws clashed is when state law contradicted federal immigration regulations. Since the 1990s, states have moved into the policy domain of immigration, even though federal immigration laws trump state laws. States' involvement in immigration is due, in part, to their interest in preventing undocumented immigrants from accessing public services such as education and welfare benefits. This creates a conflict between federal and state laws, particularly when a state may enact policies that are in contrast to federal regulations.
These clashes between federal and state powers are an inherent part of U.S. federalism, where certain powers are divided between the federal and state governments. The Supreme Court has often had to arbitrate in such instances, with the ability to either preserve the autonomy of one level of government or erode it:
An illustrative example of this conflict was seen in the 1940s in United States v. Wrightwood Dairy Co., where the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could regulate commercial activities occurring within states, a function that was previously handled exclusively by the states. This case represents how the balance of power between federal and state governments can shift over time and under various circumstances, even in areas that were traditionally under state jurisdiction.
Ultimately, immigration issues exemplify a contemporary clash between federal and state authorities, providing an example of how these two levels of government can come into conflict over their roles and responsibilities.
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