KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP (WKZO AM/FM) –The Kalamazoo Township Board has approved a resolution supporting immigrants and banning the use of township assets to support certain ICE enforcement policies, but it is also a less aggressive position than some other communities have taken.
If there is legitimate lawbreaking, like the discovery of human trafficking, or the manufacturing of false ID, like the case on South Westnedge earlier this summer, the Police Department would have authority to pursue the cases. Trustee Jen Strebs it makes it clear where they stand.
Trustee Steve Leuty says it keeps them from helping ice but it is positive about it, because he says ICE has targeted communities that have taken a hard-line stance with retaliation, targeting immigrants in those communities.
It passed unanimously.
One Kalamazoo Township Trustee has taken her protest of Immigration enforcement one step further, and not everyone likes it.
One citizen turned out at last night’s Board meeting to protest the protest saying one trustee has been sitting out the pledge.
Trustee Nicolette Leigh says she is protesting the separation of families by ICE agents, the failure to meet court deadlines and that they need DNA testing to match the kids with parents.
She says the fact that she recently had to get a note notarized stating her 6-year-old grandchild would be traveling with her and has not been kidnapped shows that ICE has gotten out of hand. Leigh has remained sitting for several meetings now.
