City Commission Removes Grant From Agenda After Residents Rally Against Federal Strings

*KALAMAZOO* — The Kalamazoo City Commission has rejected a $1.25 million federal police grant after removing it from its April 6 meeting agenda amid concerns about immigration enforcement conditions attached to the funding.

City Manager Malcolm Hankins asked commissioners to pull the agenda item before discussion began, saying it required additional review to understand the longer-term implications. The removal of the item effectively means the city is not accepting the grant at this time.

I'd ask that item H3 be removed from tonight's agenda, given the timing and the need for additional review to ensure the commission has a full understanding of the longer-term implications. Removing the item, I believe, is appropriate. It also effectively means non-acceptance of the grant at this time.

— City Manager Malcolm Hankins

Hankins' comments were met with immediate applause from a packed commission chamber, where many residents had gathered to urge officials to reject the funding. This is the second time the item has been pulled from a commission agenda in recent weeks.

The Grant Would Have Hired 10 New Officers

The Community Oriented Policing grant from the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program would have provided funding for 10 additional Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers for three years.

The grant documents included in the city's agenda packet outlined several conditions, including:

  • Compliance with federal law 8 U.S.C. § 1373, which states that local governments may not prohibit officials from sharing information about a person's citizenship or immigration status with federal agencies
  • Eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion as a consideration for the department
  • Retaining the new positions for at least one year after the three-year federal funding period ends

The immigration-related condition does not require Kalamazoo police to collect immigration status information or participate in federal immigration enforcement. However, it does limit the city's ability to restrict the sharing of that information if it is obtained.

Protestors Gathered at City Hall

Protestors held a rally at Kalamazoo City Hall before the meeting opposing the grant. Members of the clergy, civil rights groups and residents spoke for an hour and 40 minutes supporting the decision to reject it.

It is impossible that the president knows more about how to police Kalamazoo than our own local police department. The only reason for these requirements is to make KDPS an arm of his Gestapo-esque ICE raids.

— Resident Vicki Vannis

Concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement have grown nationally in recent months amid an increase in federal immigration enforcement and a series of controversial incidents. In January, two U.S. citizens — Renée Good, a 37-year-old mother, and Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse — were fatally shot in separate encounters with federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. Both incidents remain under investigation.

Commissioners Support Rejection

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

It was the second time the item had been removed from the agenda at the request of commissioners. The first removal occurred at the March 2 meeting without explanation, and commissioners did not discuss it at that time.

What Comes Next

City officials did not take further action on the item Monday night. Removing it from the agenda means the grant was not accepted, though it could potentially return for consideration at a future meeting.

The city's decision reflects growing local resistance to federal conditions that tie police funding to immigration policies. Several residents used public comment to criticize the city for pursuing the grant in the first place, raising concerns about federal involvement in local policing and potential immigration enforcement ties.