By: Maria Matos and Rony Baltazar-Lopez
Maria Matos is executive director of the Latin American Community Center in Wilmington.
Rony Baltazar-Lopez is vice chair of the Delaware Hispanic Commission.
In just 24 hours, Delaware went from learning that its first municipality had signed a formal agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to that same city rescinding the agreement following widespread community dissent. Camden’s swift reversal is a testament to the many Delawareans who immediately took action in defense of their neighbors and loved ones, pushing Camden officials to reconsider.
Now that Camden has rescinded its agreement, we need statewide elected officials to act swiftly to ban all 287(g) agreements in Delaware.
What's at stake
Much was at stake if Camden had persisted with its 287(g) agreement. These contracts deputize local police to enforce immigration laws during their routine duties — such as traffic stops, responding to 911 calls or other interactions with the public. These agreements have proliferated across the country since President Trump took office in January, tripling to nearly 600 nationwide today.
We know that 287(g) agreements undermine the critical work of local police because they sow deeper distrust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. Immigrants are already more likely to be victims of crime because of their vulnerable legal situations and often do not feel safe reporting crimes. When local police join ICE’s immigration enforcement efforts, it exacerbates this distrust, making victims and witnesses of crime even less likely to come forward and cooperate.
Over the years that 287(g) agreements have been in place, multiple studies have shown they lead to racial profiling and civil rights violations. In 287(g) jurisdictions, courts have found that people of color were profiled because they “looked like they were immigrants” due to their skin color, regardless of their actual immigration status. Additionally, local law enforcement officers often lack training on immigration laws and statuses, increasing the chances that individuals with legal status may be wrongfully detained.
We have seen, time and again, innocent people — documented immigrants, asylum seekers, DACA recipients and even U.S. citizens — profiled, detained and deported by ICE agents. These actions devastate not only those directly affected but also their families, many of whom are American citizens, and their communities, where they live, work and contribute economically. The ripple effects of deportations tear apart families, destabilize neighborhoods and harm local economies.
Delaware must act proactively
We are grateful that the Camden Police Department chose to withdraw from its 287(g) agreement, but this should serve as a wake-up call: we must act proactively to prevent this from happening elsewhere. With many municipalities across Delaware, it is entirely possible that another town might attempt to enter into a 287(g) agreement in the future. And there’s no guarantee that public outcry will be enough to dissuade them next time.
The most important step our elected officials can take now is to join states like New Jersey, Connecticut, and Illinois in banning local municipalities and state agencies from entering into 287(g) agreements. Without statewide action, Delawareans remain vulnerable to decisions by individual cities and towns that could partner with ICE. A statewide ban would ensure that police departments can continue focusing on building trust with immigrant communities and prioritizing public safety, rather than becoming complicit in mass deportation efforts.
Beyond banning 287(g) agreements, over 10 pro-immigrant rights bills are currently pending in the state legislature. These measures would protect sensitive locations like courts, schools and healthcare facilities from ICE operations; block ICE from accessing immigrant data in state databases; and maintain essential educational programs for the children of migrant farmworkers.
Send a message to state legislators
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 our immigrant friends, family members, and neighbors.
