KEEP ICE OUT: Urge Gov. Meyer to End Collaboration with ICE

Image of Gov Meyer overlaid on images of protest signs reading, one reading
Image of Gov Meyer overlaid on images of protest signs reading, one reading

Most recent signers:


The message:

Delawareans have been clear — we do not want our law enforcement, state agencies and personnel, and local taxpayer dollars to serve the federal administration’s attempts to target our immigrant communities.

Our state leaders have responded to public outcry:

  • In February, Governor Meyer’s office affirmed that state resources would not be used to assist federal immigration efforts “unless there are a valid court warrant and an exigent circumstance where the community is at risk." 
  • In July, Delaware took a critical step to protect immigrant communities and the integrity of local law enforcement by banning 287(g) agreements between ICE and state and local law enforcement agencies.
  • Most recently, the Wilmington City Council passed a unanimous resolution opposing collaboration between the city and ICE.

However, recent news has demonstrated that the federal government is continuing to push to enlist Delaware in its immigration enforcement program, allowing ICE to build its mass deportation force here in Delaware. Whether it’s assisting with violent operations that stoke fear and divide our communities or allowing backdoor channels for ICE to get Delawareans’ private data, these tactics have no place in our state.

That’s why we need you to send a message to Governor Meyer, urging him to be faithful to his previous commitments and issue renewed guidance that permanently closes backdoor channels for collaboration with ICE.


The recipient:

Governor Matt Meyer


The impact:

Governor Meyer must issue renewed guidance that explicitly:

Establishes Guidelines for Assisting ICE Operations

In early November, Seaford Police and Delaware State Police responded to a request by ICE for assistance in detaining a man. There is no evidence that ICE had a valid judicial warrant. These actions have raised serious concerns about whether ware State Police defied guidance previously issued by the Governor’s office and threatened the goodwill our state has built between community members and law enforcement through actions like banning 287(g) agreements.

Governor Meyer must issue clear guidance about when Delaware law enforcement can assist ICE operations. Inconsistent responses from state and local agencies risk undermining public safety by decreasing trust in law enforcement and diverting resources away from programs that keep our communities safe. We also run the risk of Delaware being unintentionally dragged into the federal administration’s immigration enforcement regime under backdoor, misleading pretenses that state and local law enforcement must respond to public safety threats where none exist.

Refuses to Carry Out ICE Detainer Requests

Carrying out ICE detainers is a common practice for state or local law enforcement agencies that aid ICE. Detainer requests (or immigration holds) are requests from ICE to law enforcement to facilitate the transfer of a person in their custody to immigration enforcement. Most of the people with ICE detainer requests have no criminal record. We know that law enforcement agencies in Delaware have previously carried out ICE detainers.

During the first month of Trump's second term, 31 detainers were issued in Delaware. By carrying out ICE’s detainers, our law enforcement plays an active role in turning in our neighbors to ICE. Governor Meyer must adopt a policy that bans Delaware law enforcement from carrying out ICE detainer requests.

Prohibits Data Sharing Between State Agencies and ICE

To fulfill the Trump administration's promise of deporting 11 million immigrants, the federal government must be able to locate millions of immigrants. One way to find people is through the International Justice and Public Safety Network (Nlets), a data sharing loophole that allows ICE to access sensitive personal information through state DMV databases.

Right now, 41 states including Delaware have chosen to make driver’s data available to ICE through the Nlets. House Bill 182, which banned 287(g) agreements, originally included a provision to ban sharing data with ICE. That provision was taken out before Governor Meyer signed the bill into law in July, leaving the door open for ICE to access to many Delawareans’ personal information. Governor Meyer must ensure personal information related to nationality, citizenship, or immigration status is protected.