Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer Signs Bills Limiting ICE Actions in State

Key Takeaways

• Delaware bans 287(g) agreements with ICE, ending local police’s federal immigration enforcement role starting July 14, 2025.
• Law enforcement must end existing ICE partnerships within 30 days, by August 13, 2025, and stop sharing immigration data.
• Three other bills criminalize federal agent impersonation, prohibit citizens’ arrests, and limit private felony arrests statewide.

On July 14, 2025, Delaware took a major step in shaping how immigration enforcement works within its borders. Governor Matt Meyer signed several new public safety and immigration bills, with House Bill 182 standing out as a major change. This update explains what these new laws mean, who is affected, what actions are required, and how these changes will impact people living and working in Delaware.

What Changed: House Bill 182 and Related Laws

The most important change is the signing of House Bill 182. With this law, Delaware becomes the seventh state in the United States 🇺🇸 to ban 287(g) partnerships. These partnerships allowed local police to work directly with federal immigration authorities, such as ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), to help enforce immigration laws. Under these agreements, local police could act as ICE agents, helping with arrests and sharing information about people’s immigration status.

Now, with House Bill 182 in effect, all Delaware law enforcement agencies are prohibited from entering into or continuing any agreements with ICE or other federal agencies to enforce immigration violations or share related data. This means local police can no longer act as immigration agents or give ICE information about someone’s immigration status. Any existing agreements must be ended within 30 days of the law’s signing.

Alongside House Bill 182, Governor Meyer signed three other bills:

• HB 152: Makes it a crime to pretend to be a federal agent, such as an ICE officer. This responds to recent crimes where people posed as ICE agents to commit robberies.
• HB 153: Stops citizens’ arrests in Delaware. This means regular people can no longer try to arrest someone themselves.
• HB 142: Takes away the ability for private individuals to arrest someone accused of a felony in another state unless there is a warrant.

Who Is Affected by These Changes

These new laws affect several groups in Delaware:

• Immigrants and their families: Especially those without legal status, who may have feared that any contact with local police could lead to immigration trouble.
• Local law enforcement agencies: Police departments and sheriffs’ offices must now change how they work with ICE and handle immigration-related information.
• ICE: The federal agency can still operate in Delaware, but must do so without help from local police.
• Community members and advocates: Groups that support immigrants, such as the ACLU of Delaware, see these laws as a way to protect vulnerable people and build trust with police.
• Critics and some residents: Some people believe the new laws take away important tools from police and make it harder to enforce immigration laws.

Effective Dates and Immediate Actions Required

All four bills, including House Bill 182, became law on July 14, 2025. The most urgent requirement is that any Delaware law enforcement agency with an active 287(g) or similar agreement must notify ICE and end the partnership within 30 days. This means by August 13, 2025, all such agreements must be canceled.

For law enforcement, this requires:

• Reviewing any current agreements with ICE or other federal immigration agencies.
• Sending formal notice to ICE to end these agreements.
• Stopping all sharing of immigration-related data with federal authorities.

For immigrants and community members, there are no new forms or paperwork to fill out. However, people should be aware that local police can no longer act as immigration agents or share their information with ICE under these agreements.

Summary Table: Key Provisions and Effective Dates

Background: Why Did Delaware Pass These Laws?

The push for these changes started earlier in 2025, when the Camden Police Department in Delaware briefly entered into a 287(g) agreement with ICE. This move caused strong reactions from the community, especially from immigrant rights groups like the ACLU of Delaware. Many people worried that these agreements would make immigrants afraid to call the police, even if they were victims or witnesses of crime.

Since President Trump returned to office in January 2025, there has been a sharp increase in ICE activity in Delaware. ICE administrative arrests in the state rose by 165% compared to 2024, with an average of 1.6 arrests per day. The Trump administration also increased ICE’s budget from $8 billion to $28 billion, with a goal of deporting 1 million undocumented immigrants across the United States 🇺🇸 in 2025.

These changes made many people in Delaware feel unsafe, especially those in immigrant communities. Lawmakers responded by passing House Bill 182 and the related bills to protect residents and rebuild trust between police and the community.

What Does House Bill 182 Actually Do?

House Bill 182 is clear in its purpose. It:

• Bans all Delaware law enforcement agencies from entering into or continuing any 287(g) or similar agreements with ICE or other federal immigration authorities.
• Requires any existing agreements to be ended within 30 days of the law’s signing.
• Stops local police from sharing immigration enforcement data with federal authorities.
• Does not stop ICE from operating in Delaware—ICE can still carry out its own enforcement actions, but must do so without help from local police.

This law puts Delaware in line with other states like New Jersey, Connecticut, and Illinois, which have also banned these types of agreements.

What Is a 287(g) Agreement?

A 287(g) agreement is a formal partnership between local police and ICE. Under this agreement, local officers are trained and allowed to act as federal immigration agents. They can check people’s immigration status, help with arrests, and share information with ICE. These agreements have been controversial because they can make immigrants afraid to talk to police, even if they need help.

How Does This Affect Pending Applications or Ongoing Cases?

If you are an immigrant in Delaware with a pending immigration case, these new laws do not change your application process with the federal government. However, they do mean that local police will not be working with ICE to enforce immigration laws or share your information unless required by federal law.

If you have been arrested or are involved in a criminal case, local police cannot act as ICE agents or help ICE with your immigration status under a 287(g) agreement. ICE can still act on its own, but without local police support.

For those worried about past interactions with police, it’s important to know that House Bill 182 only affects current and future actions. Any information already shared with ICE before July 14, 2025, is not covered by the new law.

What Should Law Enforcement Agencies Do Now?

Delaware police departments and sheriffs’ offices must:

• Identify any active 287(g) or similar agreements with ICE.
• Send written notice to ICE to end these agreements within 30 days of July 14, 2025.
• Stop sharing immigration enforcement data with ICE or other federal agencies, except as required by federal law.
• Train officers on the new rules and make sure everyone understands the changes.

There are no new state-level reporting requirements, but agencies should keep records of their actions to show they are following the law.

What Should Immigrants and Community Members Do?

If you are an immigrant in Delaware, you should:

• Know your rights: Local police can no longer act as ICE agents or share your immigration information under these agreements.
• Report crimes or seek help from police without fear of immigration enforcement by local officers.
• Stay informed: Follow updates from trusted organizations like the ACLU of Delaware or your local community groups.
• Contact the Delaware Governor’s Office or the ACLU of Delaware if you have concerns or believe the law is not being followed.

Community and Expert Reactions

Supporters of House Bill 182, such as State Rep. Mara Gorman, say the law is about making everyone in Delaware feel safe and welcome. She stated, “We want you here and we think that you belong.” Immigrant advocates believe the law will help rebuild trust between police and immigrant communities, making it more likely that people will report crimes and work with law enforcement.

The ACLU of Delaware and other groups praised the new laws as important steps to protect vulnerable people from overreach and possible abuse by federal immigration authorities. They argue that when immigrants trust the police, everyone is safer.

Some residents and critics, like Larry Mayo, disagree. They believe the law takes away important tools from police and makes it harder to enforce immigration laws. There may also be legal challenges in the future, with opponents arguing that only the federal government should control immigration.

National Context and Future Outlook

Delaware’s move comes at a time when 287(g) agreements have tripled nationwide since January 2025. There are now more than 700 such partnerships across the United States 🇺🇸. As reported by VisaVerge.com, Delaware’s decision to ban these agreements is especially important because it goes against the national trend of increased cooperation between local police and ICE.

Other states may look to Delaware as an example, especially as federal immigration enforcement becomes more aggressive. Advocacy groups are expected to watch how the law is put into practice and to offer help to anyone affected.

What Happens Next?

• Law enforcement agencies must end any 287(g) or similar agreements with ICE by August 13, 2025.
• ICE will continue to operate in Delaware, but without formal help from local police.
• Community groups will monitor how the laws are enforced and help people understand their rights.
• Legal challenges may be filed, but for now, the law stands.

Where to Find More Information

For official information about these new laws, you can visit the Delaware General Assembly’s website. This site has the full text of House Bill 182 and the other bills, as well as updates on any changes.

If you have questions or concerns, you can also contact:

• Delaware Governor’s Office: governor.delaware.gov
• ACLU of Delaware: aclu-de.org
• ICE (for federal immigration information): ice.gov

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

• House Bill 182 is now law in Delaware, banning all 287(g) and similar agreements between local police and ICE.
• Law enforcement agencies must end these agreements by August 13, 2025.
• Immigrants in Delaware can expect less cooperation between local police and ICE, which may make it safer to report crimes or seek help.
• ICE can still operate in Delaware, but without formal support from local police.
• Community groups and advocates will continue to monitor the situation and offer support.

If you are affected by these changes, stay informed, know your rights, and reach out to trusted organizations for help. These new laws are meant to protect all residents of Delaware and make sure everyone feels they belong.

Learn Today

287(g) Agreement → Formal partnership allowing local officers to act as federal immigration agents and enforce immigration laws.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency responsible for immigration enforcement and deportation.
House Bill 182 → Delaware law banning local police-ICE agreements and prohibiting sharing of immigration enforcement data.
Citizens’ Arrest → Action allowing private individuals to detain someone, now prohibited in Delaware by HB 153.
Impersonation of Federal Agent → Crime of pretending to be a federal law enforcement officer, criminalized by HB 152.

This Article in a Nutshell

Delaware prohibits local police from partnering with ICE under House Bill 182, protecting immigrants by ending 287(g) cooperation. Law enforcement must cease sharing immigration data and agreements by August 13, 2025. Additional bills criminalize ICE impersonation and restrict private arrests, aiming to enhance community trust and public safety statewide.
— By VisaVerge.com