Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is “excited about this new chapter in American politics” with Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign, including some “really important” benefits for illegal immigrants.

Harris’ campaign co-chair appeared on Meet the Press on Sunday to discuss the state of the presidential race ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week, with host Kristen Welker pressing Whitmer on some of Democrats’ more controversial policy proposals.

Welker noted Harris’ vice presidential running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, “signed into law initiatives allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses, qualify for free tuition at public universities, and enroll in the states free health care program for low income residents.”

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“Would you like to see the Harris administration adopt those same policies, governor?” Welker questioned.

The short answer was yes, but Whitmer took the long route.

“What we need to do is have an immigration system that works, number one,” she said. “We need to make sure that when people are in this country, that they have access to have some form of ID. That’s really important.

“The spirit of those things, I think, should be part of any vision of the country and our security and how we bring great people into this country legally,” Whitmer said.

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It’s a vision Whitmer and her Democratic allies that control the Michigan legislature have worked hard to bring to life in the Great Lakes State.

The state’s most recent record budget signed into law by Whitmer in July included millions to cover legal services for “asylum seekers,” despite data that shows 97% in 2023 involved defensive asylum claims filed by illegal immigrants facing deportation.

Another program approved by Whitmer and aligned Democrats last year spent $738,000 to “support newcomer integration” through grants to “ethnic and community based organizations” that cater to immigrants.

Democrats have also approved $500 per month “Newcomer Rental Subsidies” for “individuals with a pending asylum application,” despite strong objections from Republicans who raised issues with lax eligibility requirements and exemptions.

When Republicans attempted during the last budget cycle to amend state programs to ensure funding doesn’t flow to folks in the country illegally, Democrats with majorities in both chambers blocked the proposals.

“This isn’t about politics; it’s about responsible governance,” said Rep. William 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.”

Other pending legislation aims to follow Walz’ lead to provide illegal immigrants with driver’s licenses, a move Democrats claim would “increase public safety, grow local economies and preserve human dignity.”

Those policies came at the same time Democrats dismissed proposals to ban sanctuary cities and counties and provide free state park access for veterans, and cut more than $300 million from student safety and mental health programs.

The intent of the focus on immigrants, Whitmer contends, is to remake Michigan as “the state of choice for many newcomer populations” to counter the state’s projected population decline.

Data from the American Immigration Council shows it seems to be working.

Between 2012-2022, Michigan’s total population increased 1.5%, while the immigrant population swelled by 57.7%, totaling 687,000 in 2022, including 102,700 illegal immigrants, according to the council.

Some of those folks are bad actors. Over the last couple of years, two illegal immigrants have been arrested for murders in Grand Rapids, while others have been arrested for soliciting sex from minors in Shiawassee County, sexual conduct with a 15-year-old Livingston County girl, multiple sex assaults in Ann Arbor, a fatal hit-and-run in Grand Rapids, and breaking into a home in Sturgis to molest two girls under the age of 13.

About 41% of legal residents, meanwhile, are living paycheck to paycheck, unable to afford a “survival budget” that includes basics like housing, child care, food, transportation and health care, despite working full-time.

In many of Michigan’s biggest cities, that percentage is well over 60%.

Since Whitmer took office, the number of Michiganders struggling to get by has jumped by nearly 200,000.