Commissioners Remove Controversial Grant From Agenda Before Vote

KALAMAZOO — The city of Kalamazoo will reject a $1.25 million federal grant that would have funded 10 new police officers for three years because it came with immigration-related conditions the city commissioners did not accept.

The decision was announced before Monday's April 6 meeting even began. City Manager Malcolm Hankins removed the grant from the agenda, effectively non-accepting the funding.

"The commission needs time to better understand conditions that come with the federal money," Hankins said. "Because the commission won't meet before the April 16 deadline, that also means the effective non-acceptance of the grant."

The grant came with 39 conditions tied to the Trump administration's immigration directives.

One condition required the city to prohibit any restrictions on communication with federal immigration authorities. Another stated that by accepting the award, the city affirms it does not "operate any programs that violate any applicable Federal civil rights or nondiscrimination laws."

"Moral courage is standing up and saying that as long as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and DHS are ignoring the U.S. Constitution... then we will not accept federal money that comes with stipulations that require us to comply with those agencies or with those executive orders," said resident Sarah Schmidt.

Protesters Rally Outside City Hall

A small group of protesters gathered outside city hall ahead of the meeting, holding signs denouncing Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"We came to the conclusion that the votes are not there and the language is problematic," said Vice Mayor Drew Duncan. "Rather than even voting no on it, we decided to take it off the agenda tonight."

Members of the clergy, civil rights groups and residents spoke for one hour and 40 minutes during the public comment section, supporting the decision to reject the grant.

"They say you get $2 million for science and we get cooperation with ICE and you have to gut your DEI department," said City Manager Malcolm Hankins. "This was no exception."

KDPS Position On Immigration Enforcement

KDPS Chief David Boysen noted that the department will likely pursue other funding opportunities.

>KDPS will not participate in a "sweep" or physical apprehension for immigration violations, it will only provide information to ICE if the person in question has been arrested on a criminal charge or is a suspect in a criminal investigation, department spokesperson Zach Hamelton said in January.

Boysen said the department has had no communication or interaction with ICE regarding immigration operations in Kalamazoo.

"I'm grateful to our allies on the City Commission that helped because they raised awareness on this issue," said organizer Silvano Vanegas, standing alongside an ICE OUT sign in front of City Hall.

Grant History And Next Steps

The same grant had been up for consideration on March 2, but was removed from the agenda then as well.

"It was the second time the item had been removed from the agenda at the request of commissioners," WKZO reported.

Commissioners like Jeanne Hess thanked the community for their support on the issue. Commissioners Chris Praedel and Jae Slaby also spoke about the decision.

The City Commission did not say whether the grant would return to the agenda for future consideration.

The grant was from the U.S. Department of Justice under the Community Oriented Policing Services program.