Kalamazoo Leaders Urge Community Action Against ICE Arrests

Local officials and activists call for residents to document federal immigration enforcement and build 'mutual aid circles' to support affected communities.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:39pm

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In response to growing concerns over ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activity in the area, a panel of Kalamazoo leaders and lawmakers held a forum to address the issue and call on residents to take action. The event, organized by the Do Something Committee of the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party, featured local officials, an ACLU strategist, and the county sheriff discussing legal recourse, ways to document ICE arrests, and the long-term political impacts of deportations. The panel urged the audience to create 'mutual aid circles' in neighborhoods with immigrant communities and use their voices to resist what they described as a 'fascist regime' targeting vulnerable residents.

Why it matters

The forum reflects growing tensions and anxieties within the Kalamazoo community over the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies. Local leaders are seeking to empower residents to document and resist ICE activity, which they view as a threat to civil liberties and community cohesion.

The details

The panel discussion, held at the Crawlspace Comedy Theatre, was attended by several hundred people. Speakers included Kalamazoo Vice Mayor Drew Duncan, ACLU Strategist Lilly Eggeres, Democratic State Representative Julie Rogers, and Kalamazoo County Sheriff Rick Fuller. They covered topics like who to call after an ICE arrest, legal options for those detained, and the political ramifications of deportations. Duncan urged the audience to film federal agents' activity, referring to the Trump administration as a 'fascist regime.' Rogers mentioned state-level bills to limit ICE's ability to operate in certain locations, while Fuller acknowledged the difficulty of the situation for law enforcement, stating 'this can't go on.'

  • The forum was held on Tuesday, February 4, 2026.

The players

Drew Duncan

The vice mayor of Kalamazoo who called on the audience to document federal agents' activity and resist the 'fascist regime' of the Trump administration.

Lilly Eggeres

A strategist with the ACLU who participated in the panel discussion.

Julie Rogers

A Democratic state representative who discussed bills aimed at limiting ICE's ability to operate in certain locations like hospitals and schools.

Rick Fuller

The Kalamazoo County sheriff who acknowledged the difficulty of the current situation with ICE and stated 'this can't go on.'

Dawn Deleeuw-Matico

The chair of the Do Something Committee of the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party, which organized the event.

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What they’re saying

“Republicans are licking the boots of the Trump regime, boots that stomp on the constitution and press down on the necks of innocent people.”

— Dawn Deleeuw-Matico, Chair, Do Something Committee of the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party

“I expect you to drive out the foreign invaders that are here to kick out our neighbors. I know I will.”

— Drew Duncan, Kalamazoo Vice Mayor

“The fact that I don't have an answer to keep you safe is terrifying.”

— Julie Rogers, Democratic State Representative

“The actions we're seeing right now from ICE are difficult, very difficult for us as well. There are many chiefs, many sheriffs standing up and saying, 'this can't go on.'”

— Rick Fuller, Kalamazoo County Sheriff

What’s next

Organizers are considering holding more community meetings in the future due to the high turnout at this event.

The takeaway

The Kalamazoo forum highlights the growing grassroots resistance to the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies, with local leaders seeking to empower residents to document ICE activity and build support networks for affected communities.