The immigration enforcement operation launched Wednesday in Louisiana is pitting New Orleans’ sanctuary city policies against state laws favored by Republican lawmakers.

Officials in New Orleans have expressed an unwillingness to aid the operation in a city rich with diversity. But unlike states like California and Illinois, where Democratic governors and lawmakers opposed to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies have pushed back, Louisiana’s top officials welcome federal intervention.

“Louisiana will not be a refuge for violent offenders. We stand with our federal partners and the law enforcement officers who protect our people every day,” Gov. Jeff Landry said in a social media post Wednesday. “Thank you to President [Donald Trump] and [Homeland Security Secretary Krist

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