*## Kalamazoo City Commission Removes Federal Police Grant From Agenda After Residents Urge Officials to Reject Funding*

A small group of protesters gathered outside Kalamazoo City Hall ahead of the Monday, April 6 meeting. They were there to voice concerns about a federal policing grant that would have come with strings attached.

That morning, the city decided to remove the grant from consideration before the commission even began.

The federal grant would have provided $1.25 million over three years to hire 10 new police officers for the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. The funding was part of the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program.

But the grant agreement came with 39 conditions, one of which required the city to prohibit any restrictions on communication with federal immigration authorities. Another condition stated that by accepting the award, the city affirms it does not "operate any programs (including any such programs having components relating to diversity, equity and inclusion) that violate any applicable Federal civil rights or nondiscrimination laws."

## The Decision Comes After Two Previous Attempts

This was not the first time the grant was removed from consideration. The same item had been pulled from the agenda on March 2, but the city did not explain why at that time.

"The same grant had been up for consideration on March 2, but was removed from the agenda then, too," Vice Mayor Drew Duncan said. "We came to the conclusion that the votes are not there and the language is problematic. Rather than even voting no on it, we decided to take it off the agenda tonight."

City Manager Malcolm Hankins asked commissioners to pull the agenda item, citing the need for additional review to ensure the commission has a full understanding of the longer-term implications.

"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," Hankins said. "Removing the item, I believe, is appropriate. It also effectively means non-acceptance of the grant at this time."

The packed meeting chambers broke into applause.

## Residents Speak Out Against Federal Conditions

Several residents used public comment to express concerns about the grant, raising questions about federal involvement in local policing and potential immigration enforcement ties.

"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," resident Sarah Schmidt said.

Another resident, Vicki Vannis, voiced similar concerns:

"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."

A group of organizers stood alongside an ICE OUT sign in front of City Hall, including Silvano Vanegas.

## Police Chief Defends Current Policy

KDPS Chief David Boysen responded to the concerns, noting that the department will not participate in a "sweep" or physical apprehension for immigration violations. He stated the department 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.

"We certainly don't want to create more fear," Boysen said. "We certainly are not going to compromise on our values and policy."

Boysen also noted that KDPS has had no communication or interaction with ICE regarding immigration operations in Kalamazoo, according to department spokesperson Zach Hamelton who made those comments in January.

Given the response to the potential grant, the department will likely pursue other funding opportunities, Boysen said.

## Commissioners Thank Community for Support

Several commissioners publicly thanked the community for their support on the issue. Commissioner Jeanne Hess expressed gratitude after members of the clergy, civil rights groups and residents spoke for an hour and 40 minutes supporting the decision to reject the grant.

Commissioners Chris Praedel and Jae Slaby added their own comments during the public session.

City Commission meeting was attended by all commissioners except Commissioner Stephanie Hoffman.

## The Grant Would Have Funded 10 New Officers

The Community Oriented Policing grant for $1.25 million would have provided funding for 10 additional officers for three years. City documents show the agreement required hiring additional officers rather than replacing existing ones, contributing a local funding match, and retaining the positions for at least one year after the three-year federal funding period ends.

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.

## Officials Cite Immigration Enforcement Concerns

City Manager Malcolm Hankins explained that the Trump administration is slipping its directives into unrelated grant opportunities, and this is happening all over the country.

"They say you get $2 million for science and we get cooperation with ICE and you have to gut your DEI department," Hankins said.

The grant language included 39 conditions, including one that required 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.

## KDPS Clarifies Immigration Policy

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.

KDPS has had no communication or interaction with ICE regarding immigration operations in Kalamazoo, he said.

The department will likely pursue other funding opportunities given the response to the potential grant, Chiefs Boysen said.

## Protesters and Community Members Urge Rejection

The protest outside City Hall before the meeting included members of the clergy, civil rights groups and residents. Their comments during public comment lasted an hour and 40 minutes, all supporting the decision to reject the grant.

Commissioners like Jeanne Hess thanked the community for their support on the issue.

## What This Means for Kalamazoo Policing

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 needs to find alternative funding sources to fill the positions needed to support the city's growing population and the influx of event center visitors.

## Residents Ask for No Future Federal Money With Similar Strings

During public comment, residents asked the commission to do the same with any federal money with similar strings attached.

The decision reflects growing national concerns about federal immigration enforcement and its potential impact on local communities. The grant language did not explicitly require cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, but the inclusion of federal information-sharing requirements combined with ongoing national controversies has fueled concern among some residents.

The city's decision to reject the grant signals a willingness to stand on local values rather than accept federal funding with conditions that conflict with those values.

Sources:

  • MLive: https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2026/04/kalamazoo-rejects-125m-in-police-funding-over-federal-immigration-rules.html
  • Watershed Voice: https://watershedvoice.com/2026/04/07/kalamazoo-commission-removes-1-25-million-federal-police-grant-from-agenda-residents-cheer/
  • WKZO: https://wkzo.com/2026/04/07/912114/