Key Takeaways
• Over 100 residents protested anti-immigration policies on Michigan Avenue in February 2025, led by Emily Gallardo.
• A proposed Michigan bill aims to criminalize transporting or hiding undocumented immigrants, raising concerns among advocates and police.
• Kalamazoo city leaders and local groups support immigrant rights and actively oppose mass deportation efforts.
A Kalamazoo group recently came together at the Crawlspace Comedy Theater to make their voices heard on immigration. The event, marked by protest sign-making and the creation of voting-rights buttons, highlights the community’s focus on immigration issues. As reported by VisaVerge.com, such local movements are becoming a common response to growing concerns about how federal immigration policies affect daily life in Kalamazoo.
Recent Action: Kalamazoo Community Steps Up
Over the past year, Kalamazoo has seen a clear rise in activism around immigration. The latest gathering at Crawlspace Comedy Theater was not the first time people from the area united for this cause. In February 2025, more than one hundred residents took to the streets to join what organizers called Kalamazoo’s first major protest against anti-immigration policies. This protest happened on Michigan Avenue, right near Bronson Park.
Two local residents played a big part in putting this protest together. One of them, Emily Gallardo, is a student at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. She and others organized neighbors, friends, and fellow students to meet despite bone-chilling winter temperatures that were in the low 20s. The protesters brought energy and determination, chanting phrases like “Trump’s gotta go” and “Musk gotta go.” The focus of their chants and signs was clear: many Kalamazoo residents feel current immigration policies hurt communities that are already struggling.
Lainey Hoyes, another local student from Western Michigan University, spoke out during the February protest. “It’s up to us—citizens who have a voice—to speak up for the injustices and discrimination happening,” she said. Her words echoed a feeling shared by many at the event, who see themselves as advocates for people who might not be able to speak up or who face unfair treatment because of federal or local immigration enforcement.
A Pattern of Activism in Kalamazoo
What happened at Crawlspace Comedy Theater and at the February protest are part of a bigger pattern. Over the last several years, Kalamazoo has become a place where people act when they see injustice—especially when it comes to immigration. These public calls for action have included rallies against family separations at the border and efforts to help everyone in the community know their rights.
Emily Gallardo’s leadership shows how local organizing creates a ripple effect. Each event brings new people into the conversation and builds momentum for future protests or group actions. Even in harsh winter weather, people in Kalamazoo show that they’re willing to gather outdoors for a cause they believe in.
Local Leaders Respond to Immigration Concerns
The people organizing these events aren’t the only ones concerned. Kalamazoo City Commissioner Don Cooney has publicly shared his worries about President Trump’s immigration plans, especially the idea of mass deportations. Commissioner Cooney believes these actions would do more harm than good, both for immigrants and for Kalamazoo itself. He’s noted that undocumented immigrants have provided important services for the city and the greater West Michigan area.
“If we start to turn against immigrants, we’re really turning against ourselves, because we have come here and we have contributed, and they have contributed, and we ought to respect all that they’ve done,” Cooney said. For Commissioner Cooney, protecting the people who have helped build Kalamazoo is a matter of fairness and self-respect.
To make sure undocumented immigrants aren’t left in the dark, Cooney has been working with local immigration protection groups. These groups help spread information about rights and offer support to those who might feel afraid or unsure in the current political climate. This is an important way for people to stay safe and informed, especially with policies that can change quickly.
Kalamazoo’s Own History with Immigration Policies
The city of Kalamazoo has a history of taking stands on tough issues related to immigration. Back in 2018, city leaders spoke out against the practice of separating children from their families at the U.S. border—an act that sparked strong responses not just in Michigan, but across the United States 🇺🇸. Now, with new concerns over federal policy, Commissioner Cooney has said the city may take similar action again, depending on what comes next.
These past responses show Kalamazoo’s commitment to treating everyone with dignity, no matter where they come from or their current immigration status. Moments like these have made the city a model for how local communities can speak up, even on national issues that seem far away.
Wider Debates Across Michigan
Kalamazoo’s local activism is happening as big debates about immigration play out across Michigan and the United States 🇺🇸 as a whole. Recently, House Republicans in Michigan put forward a bill that would make it a separate state crime to bring people into the country without authorization, help hide them from law enforcement, or transport them after they are already here.
Supporters of the bill say it would help local police fight human smuggling—a serious crime where people are illegally brought across borders. But many others, including immigration lawyers and law enforcement leaders, think this proposed law could cause complicated problems.
Ruby Robinson, who is a managing attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, has shared doubts about whether this bill is a good use of public resources. “Should Michigan taxpayer dollars be invested to duplicate the efforts of federal immigration agencies?” Robinson asked. She pointed out that, under U.S. law, immigration enforcement is usually handled by federal officials rather than by state or local police.
Matt Saxton, who leads the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, has echoed this concern. According to Saxton, local police rarely get involved with these kinds of cases, which are almost always managed by federal officers. He said there has not been a clear need for a state law to deal with human smuggling, since cases where this happens are not common in local police work.
Concerns About Impact on Local Police and Residents
A key worry among those who question the new immigration proposal is that it could put too much strain on local police and push costs onto local taxpayers. Immigration cases—especially those involving smuggling—are complex and can take a lot of time and resources to handle properly.
- If local police are asked to carry out duties that normally fall to federal agents, it risks pulling them away from other important work in their communities.
- Adding another layer of enforcement could confuse both police and immigrant residents, leading to misunderstandings or mistakes.
- Local governments could face extra costs if they are forced to cover the price of extra patrols, legal work, or detention for people arrested under these new state crimes.
Some people also fear that a tougher approach at the state level could lead to racial profiling, where people are targeted by police just because of how they look or speak. Others are concerned this would make immigrants less likely to report crimes or ask police for help, which could make the whole community less safe.
Demands for Change and Protection
At the heart of recent events is a simple call: The people of Kalamazoo want to see fair treatment for everyone, especially immigrants whose status or background may put them at risk. The buttons made at the theater gathering, along with the chanting and signs from the February protest, are just a few ways people in Kalamazoo have shown their commitment to making sure immigrants’ voices are heard.
Many see immigration as an American story—one where people from different backgrounds have come together to build stronger towns and cities. The words of Commissioner Cooney and student advocates like Emily Gallardo remind everyone that protecting immigrants is about more than just laws or politics; it is about caring for neighbors and respecting the community’s shared history.
How Activism Brings Results
Actions like the protest on Michigan Avenue or the event at Crawlspace Comedy Theater serve several purposes:
– They give people a safe place to share their opinions and learn about issues that affect them directly.
– Events build community among people who might otherwise feel alone in their worries.
– Public actions can put pressure on local, state, and national leaders to think twice before making decisions that harm vulnerable groups.
These gatherings also let people support each other—whether it is by making signs, organizing rides to rallies, or spreading information about rights and resources. The leadership of local activists like Emily Gallardo is key to keeping these movements going strong.
Resources for Immigrants in Kalamazoo
As debates over immigration policy continue, having trusted sources of information is vital. People who have questions about their rights or status can look for support from Kalamazoo-based immigrant protection groups or check information on official government websites, such as the main U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services resource, which provides details about immigrant rights and important forms.
Impacts on Different Groups
For immigrants living in Kalamazoo, changes in local or state policies can have deep effects:
– People without authorization may feel more afraid of being targeted by police or facing deportation, leading to more stress and isolation.
– Families could feel unsure about their futures, or worry about being separated from loved ones if new rules are enforced harshly.
– Students and workers who support their families may suffer if they are unable to focus on school or jobs due to fear or confusion.
For local employers and schools, mass deportations or strict laws could mean losing valuable workers and students, hurting the city’s economy and culture. As Commissioner Cooney mentioned, undocumented immigrants provide important services and help make Kalamazoo a stronger, more interesting place to live.
What Comes Next for Kalamazoo?
With federal and state policies changing often, it is unlikely that debates about immigration in Kalamazoo will end soon. Community members, led by people like Emily Gallardo, are likely to keep pushing for fair treatment and clear information.
City leaders will have to decide if they want to take stronger stands, as they did in 2018 when they spoke out against family separation. Meanwhile, local activists and protection groups will keep working to make sure those at risk know their rights and can stay connected to the community.
Where to Find More Help
Anyone in Kalamazoo who has questions about immigration, or who wants to learn more about local resources, should check out official government sites, such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services page, for accurate information about rights and forms. This is especially important for people who are worried about changes in policy or enforcement.
Kalamazoo’s Ongoing Role in the Immigration Story
The recent events in Kalamazoo show what happens when ordinary people and local leaders take action to protect their neighbors. The work of students like Emily Gallardo, supported by strong community leaders and organizations, proves that local action can have a big effect. As local debates and national policies continue to change, Kalamazoo’s example offers a hopeful lesson: when people come together to support immigrants, everyone stands to gain.
As policies change, people living in Kalamazoo—and across Michigan—will rely on each other even more, sharing information, organizing events, and standing up for fair treatment for all. The energy seen at the Crawlspace Comedy Theater is just one sign that this movement is growing stronger every day.
Learn Today
Undocumented Immigrants → People living in a country without official legal authorization or required immigration documents.
Deportation → The forced removal of a person from a country due to violations of immigration or criminal laws.
Human Smuggling → Illegally transporting people across borders, often for payment, bypassing immigration controls.
Kalamazoo City Commissioner → An elected official responsible for helping make policy and governance decisions in the city of Kalamazoo.
Immigrant Rights Center → A legal and advocacy organization providing support, information, and resources to immigrants within a particular region.
This Article in a Nutshell
Kalamazoo has become a focal point for local immigration activism. Major protests, led by residents like Emily Gallardo, draw attention to federal and state policies. As local and statewide debates intensify, the community increasingly rallies to support immigrant rights, aiming for fair treatment and greater awareness for everyone living in the area.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Federal Grand Jury Hits Wisconsin Judge in Immigration Case
• Asylum Claims Drop as Canada Reevaluates Immigration Policy
• Lena Metlege Diab becomes Canada’s new Immigration Minister
• Eluned Morgan rejects Keir Starmer’s divisive immigration rhetoric
• UK immigration rules to require 10 years for settlement and citizenship
