The ultimate power in our democracy lies with the people, not with any single elected official.
President Trump has begun enacting policies that attack immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ students, people seeking reproductive healthcare, those who dissent, and many more.
But we have been preparing for this moment to ensure we are ready to fight back against the Trump administration's unprecedented threats to restrict our civil rights and liberties. The next four years will be challenging, but with your help, we will to put up the fight of the century.
A letter from our Executive Director
ACLU National Firewall for Freedom Initiative
2025 Legislative Recap: How We Did and What We’re Doing Next
The first leg of the 153rd General Assembly has come to an end. Since January, we’ve been working hard on issues like immigrants' rights, probation reform, and gender justice. Here’s a quick snapshot of what we accomplished, what's left to be done, and ways you can stay involved.
VICTORY: Gov. Meyer Signs House Bill 182, banning 287(g) agreements with ICE in Delaware
On July 14, Governor Meyer signed House Bill 182 (HB 182), legislation that bans 287(g) agreements between ICE and local police in Delaware, into law. Delaware now joins states like New Jersey, Connecticut, and Illinois in banning these dangerous contracts with the federal government that allow local police to enforce federal immigration laws as they patrol our communities.
Since we sounded the alarm that the Camden Police Department signed a 287(g) agreement with ICE in early May, over 1,600 Delawareans sent messages to state leaders demanding an end to 287(g) once and for all. To every person who took action – thank you for speaking out, showing up, and fighting to protect Delaware's immigrant communities.
VICTORY: Gov. Meyer Signs Executive Order to Protect Gender-Affirming Care
On June 20, Governor Meyer signed Executive Order #11 to protect gender-affirming care in Delaware from attempts by the federal and other state governments to criminalize patients and providers. This action comes after months of pressure from the public and several LGBTQ+ and civil rights organizations in the state.
Since January, the ACLU of Delaware has delivered messages to the Governor’s office from over 1,400 Delawareans asking Meyer for an executive order in the wake of the federal administration’s attacks on trans individuals and other vulnerable groups.
URGENT ACTION
Governor Meyer has already demonstrated strong leadership when it comes to pushing back against policies that endanger immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, those seeking reproductive healthcare, and students.
We need you to send a message to Governor Meyer thanking him for his commitments thus far and urging him to immediately issue an Executive Order refusing to cooperate with any action by the federal government that could deny Delawareans their constitutional rights.
Here are four concrete steps Delaware officials can take now to protect our civil liberties from a draconian Trump administration:
1. Refuse to cooperate.
The Governor and Attorney General can refuse to cooperate if the Trump administration engages in massive anti-civil liberties actions such as information requests on people accessing reproductive or gender affirming healthcare, crackdowns on public protest, indiscriminate immigration raids, and more.
2. Protect immigrant communities.
Delaware officials can refuse to cooperate with dragnet immigration raids that the Trump administration may begin. In addition, the Attorney General can release guidance to prosecutors to ensure they are aware of the consequences of minor criminal convictions on a person’s immigration status, and coordinate relief to families that may be targeted by mass raids.
3. Guarantee equal access to education.
The Attorney General can clarify that Delaware law protects vulnerable students, such as families of immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, pregnant students, and more who all may be targets of the Trump administration.
4. Ensure access to reproductive healthcare.
Delaware can follow the lead of other states that have created a Reproductive Equity Fund to ensure that providers, abortion funds, patients, and others have reliable and stable funding to continue to provide reproductive healthcare.
There are several ways you can work alongside us and your fellow Delawareans to make sure our civil liberties are protected:
1. Demand Accountability
During election seasons, ACLU of Delaware's voter information hub, VoteDelaware.org, features candidate questionnaire to help voters learn more about where local and state candidates landed key issues like education equity, immigrants' rights, reproductive freedom, smart justice, and voting rights.
As newly elected officials begin their new terms, their responses will remain accessible right here. We must continue to hold our leaders accountable for campaign promises to protect and expand civil liberties for all Delawareans, and make sure they remain committed to the values they pledged to fight for.
2024 General Assembly RESPONSES
2. Volunteer
As a volunteer, you can help promote civil liberties by recruiting new members, assisting staff with administrative work, drafting communications materials, mobilizing support on critical legislative issues, and conducting legal and/or policy research.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
3. Donate
You can help protect civil liberties by making a tax deductible gift to the ACLU of Delaware Foundation.
DONATE TO THE FIGHT
4. Know Your Rights
Keeping people informed and up-to-date about the state of civil rights in Delaware is a key part of protecting vulnerable communities and combatting injustice. Share our Know Your Rights guides with your friends and family, and help spread the word about our work on social media!
Know Your Rights
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