Activate Delaware: ACLU-DE Weeks of Action
With immigrant communities, voting rights, trans justice, and more at risk, the ACLU is on the frontlines of the fight for freedom — and we need you with us.
That's why we hosted a four-part weeks of action series to activate Delawareans to speak out, show up, and take action to protect our civil rights and liberties. From phone-banking, to canvassing, to community events, and lobby days, each week spotlighted a key issue and gave community members the tools to make a real impact in our state. Thank you for helping us meet this moment and make a stronger, more inclusive Delaware for all.
See highlights, resources, event recordings, and ways to continue to take action below.
Thank you for taking part in a week of action dedicated to pushing back against Trump's anti-immigrant agenda and protecting the rights of immigrants in our communities.
Here's a quick recap:
- 1,400+ messages have been sent to Governor Meyer urging him to issue an executive order to protect Delawarean's civil liberties;
- 300+ messages have been sent to state legislators urging them to say "YES" to a slate of pro-immigrant legislation pending in the General Assembly; and
- 900+ phone calls were made by our phone-banking volunteers encouraging Delawareans to contact Governor Meyer to demand immediate action.
Take Action
House Bill 182 (HB 182) prohibits local law enforcement from working with federal immigration agencies to enforce immigration laws or share related information, preventing local law enforcement from entering into 287(g) agreements with ICE. We need you to send a message to state representatives urging them to act swiftly to ban 287(g) agreements and protect our friends, family, and neighbors by passing HB 182 NOW.
Take Action
Right now a slate of legislation is pending in the Delaware General Assembly now that would protect immigrants and ensure they have the support, security, and opportunity to thrive. We need you to send a message to your state legislators urging them to say “YES” to protecting immigrant communities.
Victory: Camden officials rescind agreement with ICE
On May 6, we sounded the alarm that the Camden Police Department signed a 287(g) agreement with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). When we sounded the alarm, you heard the call and responded. To every person who took action, we say thank you.
Within the same day, Camden officials announced they rescinded their agreement with ICE due to the significant public outcry.
Open Letter: Immigrants Rights' Organizations Urge Action to Protect Immigrant Communities
Signees of the letter include: ACLU of Delaware, Delaware NAACP State Conference of Branches, Delaware Poor People's Campaign, Haitian Coalition of Delaware, Immigrant Justice Committee of New Castle Presbytery, Latin American Community Center, Latino Initiative on Restorative Justice, Network Delaware, New Castle Presbytery, Orgullo Delaware, Speak Out Against Hate, Votamos We Vote Coalition, Women's March Sussex
Op-Ed: Collective Action Worked to Stop ICE in Camden. Now Delaware Lawmakers Must Act.
We have shown our values by standing up for immigrant communities who were at risk under Camden’s 287(g) agreement. Now, we need our elected officials to reaffirm those values by banning these agreements statewide and passing legislation that will protect immigrant communities. This op-ed, authored by Maria Matos and Rony Baltazar-Lopez, was originaly published in Delaware Online.
Guest Blog: Vote for Immigrant Students and Families during Delaware’s May 13 School Board Elections
Our school boards play a powerful role in determining how Delaware schools will respond to these escalating attacks on immigrant students and families. Read our guest blog from the Latin American Community Center and visit VoteDelaware.org to learn more about the candidates running in your district and make a plan to vote for immigrant students and families during Delaware's school board elections on Tuesday, May 13.
Read the blog
Thank you for taking part in a week of action dedicated to protecting and expanding the right to vote for all Delawareans.
Here's a quick recap:
- 750+ postcards have been collected and delivered to state legislators urging them to vote yes on Senate Bill 2, Senate Bill 3, and House Bill 88;
- 2,300+ phone calls were made by our phone-banking volunteers encouraging Delawareans to contact Representative Mike Smith and Representative Kevin Hensley urging them to vote "YES" on Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 88;
- 16 meetings with state legislators were held by Every Vote Counts volunteers during the Every Vote Counts Lobby Day to urge the passage of Senate Bill 2, Senate Bill 3, and House Bill 88; and
- 15,500+ voters cast a ballot in Delaware's 2025 school board elections, a 176% increase from 2024.
Demand Accountability: 2025 School Board VoteDelaware Questionnaire Responses
During the 2025 school board election season, the ACLU of Delaware's voter information hub, VoteDelaware.org, featured candidate questionnaires to help voters learn more about where local and state candidates landed key issues like budget equity, health and safety, inclusion, and restorative discipline.
As newly elected school board members begin their terms, their responses will remain accessible right here. We must continue to hold our school board members accountable for campaign promises to protect Delaware's students, and make sure they remain committed to the values they pledged to fight for.
ICYMI: The SAVE Act Unpacked
The SAVE Act would block millions of eligible voters from participating in our democracy. It requires in-person citizenship documentation that would effectively end online and mail voter registration and exclude millions of eligible citizens from registering to vote if they don't have passports, access to their birth certificates, or if those documents do not reflect their name following a name change.
Our virtual lunch and learn conversation explored what's at stake for Delaware, and how Delawareans can help protect the right to vote.
Thank you for taking part in a week of action dedicated to creating a probation system that will lift people up and provide them the support they need to thrive.
Here's a quick recap:
- 150+ messages were sent to state senators urging them to support Senate Bill 7 and Senate Bill 8;
- 1,700+ phone calls were made by our phone-banking volunteers encouraging Delawareans to contact state senators urging them to vote "YES" on Senate Bill 7 and Senate Bill 8;
- 19 meetings were held with state legislators by Smart Justice partners and volunteers during the Probation Reform Lobby Day to urge the passage of Senate Bill 7 and Senate Bill 8;
- 5 new legislation co-sponsors were secured during Probation Lobby Day meetings; and
- 17 Smart Justice partners and volunteers gave testimony in support of Senate Bill 7 and Senate Bill 8 during the Senate Executive Committee hearing, contributing to the bills being released from committee.
Take Action
Senate Bill 7 (SB 7) and Senate Bill 8 (SB 8) tailor conditions to the individual and limit the use of some existing standard conditions, like substance use testing of all people on probation, that create unnecessary barriers to successful re-entry. Join us in calling for systemic change by sending a message urging state senators to support probation reform NOW.
Probation Reform Can't Wait: Denise Dudley's Story
"On probation, I felt more trapped than helped. I was sentenced to undergo evaluations for treatments and classes that ranged from irrelevant to nearly impossible to complete." Smart Justice Ambassador, Denise Dudley, shares her story about life on probation.
Probation Reform Can't Wait: Kenjuan “KJ” Congo Jr.'s Story
"I did not have a single infraction, not even a parking ticket. Yet because of my probation, I could do little to nothing to help my family during this emergency." Smart Justice Ambassador, Kenjuan “KJ” Congo Jr. shares her story about life on probation.
Thank you for taking part in a week of action dedicated to ensuring every person can make about their own health, happiness, and safety.
Here's a quick recap:
- 330+ people signed our petition to shield healthcare providers from out-of-state actions and penalties for providing reproductive or gender-affirming care.
- 250+ people have signed our petition urging Delaware lawmakers to ban reverse location and reverse keyword searches and warrants in Delaware.
Take Action
As the Trump administration and emboldened state governments continue to enact policies that target already vulnerable communities like people seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care, the use of reverse warrants has become a much more relevant tool in the escalating attacks on our bodily autonomy. Send a message to state representatives urging them to support House Bill 145, legislation that prohibits both reverse location and reverse keyword searches and warrants in Delaware.
Take Action
Lawmakers across the country are launching sweeping attacks on transgender people, particularly youth, stripping away their rights and dignity. Sign the petition now to urge Delaware lawmakers to pass legislation to shield providers from out-of-state actions and penalties to ensure trans people can access the healthcare they need without fear or barriers.
ICYMI: The Intersections of Shield Laws, Reverse Warrants, and Gender Justice
As the Trump administration and emboldened state governments continue to enact policies that target already vulnerable communities like people seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care, Delaware must take action against the escalating attacks on our bodily autonomy by enacting shield laws for care providers and banning reverse warrants.
This virtual panel explored how legal loopholes and surveillance threaten privacy, safety, and the ongoing struggle for gender justice.
View Recording
Looking for other ways to get involved?
Know Your Rights
Learn more here about what your rights are, how to exercise them, and what to do when your rights are violated.
Request Know Your Rights Materials
Request materials for your community outreach work if you reside or work in Delaware.
Request a Know Your Rights Training
Our trainings provide valuable information to help you understand and protect your rights in various situations, such as interactions with ICE and law enforcement, protests, and more.