State Reps. Will Bruck and Jamie Thompson continue to stand strong against misguided policies that support illegal immigrants and contribute to the border crisis.

The representatives both introduced amendments to the state budget that would ensure no taxpayer dollars could be allocated to provide services, grants, or programming to non-citizens who enter the U.S. illegally. Unfortunately, Democrats in control of the House rejected their efforts to safeguard the interests of taxpayers.

“It’s outrageous that some politicians would prioritize illegal immigrants over law-abiding citizens,” said Thompson, R-Brownstown. “The people we represent deserve better, and we will continue to fight tirelessly on their behalf.”

The rejection of these amendments highlights a concerning trend, with the Whitmer administration pushing policies and proposals to offer taxpayer-funded assistance to people who entered the country illegally.

Whitmer’s “Newcomer Rental Subsidy” program offers rent assistance to illegal aliens who get arrested and then claim asylum to avoid deportation. The governor also proposed $8 million in her budget for “New Michigander Immigration and Legal Services,” which would subsidize legal services for asylum seekers, even though more than 97% of asylum seekers in fiscal year 2023 claimed asylum defensively after they were facing deportation and most asylum claims get denied.

Both Thompson and Bruck have raised concerns about the programs, and Thompson has asked the nonpartisan Office of the Auditor General (OAG) to review the Newcomer Rental Subsidy Program.

“This isn’t about politics; it’s about responsible governance,” said Bruck, R-Erie. “Taxpayer dollars should be used to benefit legal residents of our state, not those who have entered the country unlawfully. That’s something we should all be able to agree on.”