To combat Trump’s moves, Kalamazoo Township proposes protections for immigrants, LGBT

KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP, MI — Just hours after he was sworn in on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump signed a litany of executive orders including one that defines sex as only male or female and another that challenges birthright citizenship.

Kalamazoo Township Supervisor David Combs wants residents to know the township recognizes their citizenship and identity.

On Monday, Jan. 27, Combs will introduce three resolutions during the board at its 6 p.m. meeting that do the following:

Recognize the citizenship of all individuals born in the United States
Recognize and protect people of all gender identities and sexual orientations
A resolution to update Kalamazoo Township’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance

He’ll also introduce an ordinance prohibiting township resources from being utilized for immigration enforcement or for cooperation with federal immigration agents. This ordinance will be introduced on Monday, Jan. 27 and voted on at the following meeting, Feb. 10.

If the ordinance passes by a majority vote, Kalamazoo Township would essentially become a sanctuary township — and likely the first in Michigan, Combs said. That title comes with a bit of apprehension.

“I would not bring these proposals forward to the board in a public way if there wasn’t some level of unanimity,” he said.

Combs, the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party vice chair, is new to the supervisor role.

It’s primarily a matter of policy, not politics, Combs said. Because of the executive orders signed this week, U.S. and state laws are out of alignment.

He wants to make it clear the township will uphold the Michigan Constitution and establish clear policies for residents.

Combs called the proposed measures safeguards, designed to let police and staff continue business as usual in the event federal entities or immigration enforcement come to the township.

They’ll prevent police officers being pulled away from their regular duties and ensure that township forms include three options for gender identity, among other practical impacts.

He expects pushback from residents' whose political or personal beliefs oppose his.

But there are people in Kalamazoo Township whose lives could be negatively impacted by these orders, Combs said.

“I have to choose between folks who have a preference and folks who are worried about their safety and recognition as human beings,” Combs said. “I’m gonna serve the latter, first.”

Township staff have declined to take policy positions on the matter, Combs said, stating their job is to follow the law, not create it.

The Department of Justice is being directed to investigate state and local government officials who don’t comply with executive orders regarding citizenship and immigration, Combs said.

Officials don’t know what the consequences will be, Combs said, but he’s asking the board to take policy action despite the unknown.

“In all fairness, we don’t know what the implications could be for things like federal dollars down the line,” Combs said.

The board, elected in November 2024, has six Democrats and one Republican, Toni Kennedy.

Combs has no intention to challenge every decision Trump makes, he said. But Kalamazoo Township voters elected him — an openly liberal, bisexual man — to respond when Trump’s actions impact them.

“My job is to specifically bring forward the issues that have a direct impact on the people living in the township,” Combs said. “It just so happens that my values and ethics don’t change.”

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