Republicans open a risky new front in the immigration wars

In the epic struggle between President Donald Trump and the Democratic-controlled California state government, a new front is opening that could prove pivotal to the battle for control of the US House of Representatives this fall.

Local officials in Orange County last week threw a twist into the escalating conflict between the nation’s capital in Washington and the state’s capital in Sacramento by moving to join the Trump administration’s lawsuit against the state on the explosive issue of so-called “sanctuary” policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration laws.

The move by the county government to ally with Trump — which also includes a new policy from Orange County’s sheriff intended to undercut the state law — seems likely to spill into California’s critical cluster of congressional races. CONT.

Ronald Brownstein, CNN