Throughout the long legal fight over the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and other noncriminal residents of this country, Democrats have held an extended debate over the wisdom of focusing on Trump’s perceived strong point of immigration policy instead of refusing to speak of anything other than the economy and Trump’s unpopular tariffs. In urging Democrats not to fall prey to the “distraction” of the Abrego Garcia saga, California governor Gavin Newsom memorably referred to immigration as Republicans’ “80-20 issue,” making it dangerous turf for the opposition party.

But even as the argument continues, the ground beneath it is shifting. Immigration isn’t an “80-20 issue” for Trump; it may not even be a net positive at all. Four........

© Daily Intelligencer