Chris Christie just took a big risk on immigration

Perry’s collapse demonstrated the potency of illegal immigration within the Republican Party. Even with House Republican leadership and conservative favorites like Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R) on board, immigration hard-liners in the House have succeeded in blocking the bipartisan Senate immigration reform bill (Notably, the two other Republican senators contemplating presidential campaigns, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas, voted against the Senate bill).

While Republican candidates can survive other breaks from party orthodoxy — whether it’s John McCain on campaign finance reform or Mitt Romney on health care with an individual mandate — immigration remains a third rail.

Perry’s fate, and the death of immigration reform in Congress, makes New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s (R) decision to sign a bill similar to the Texas version all the more interesting.

Far from running from the issue, Christie is embracing the new law, and the changes he inspired. Though he signed it in private today, Christie will hold a public signing ceremony at a later date, his press office said.