Key Takeaways
• Camden Police joined ICE’s 287(g) program on April 29, 2025, using the Task Force Model for immigration enforcement.
• Community opposition led Camden to announce withdrawal on May 6, 2025, but internal emails reveal the partnership is only paused.
• Delaware’s possible immigration bill and advocacy efforts influence Camden’s ICE collaboration future and local immigration enforcement roles.
The Camden Police Department’s ICE Partnership: What Happened, Why It Matters, and What Comes Next
The Camden Police Department in Delaware recently found itself at the center of a heated debate over immigration enforcement. On April 29, 2025, Camden became the first law enforcement agency in Delaware to sign a formal partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the 287(g) program. This move quickly drew strong reactions from community members, advocacy groups, and state officials. Just one week later, on May 6, 2025, Camden Police Chief Marcus Whitney announced the department was withdrawing from the agreement. However, new information suggests the situation is more complicated than it first appeared, raising important questions about transparency, community trust, and the future of local involvement in federal immigration enforcement.
Understanding the 287(g) Program
To understand the controversy, it’s important to know what the 287(g) program is and how it works. The 287(g) program is named after Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This law lets ICE give some immigration enforcement powers to state and local police. When a local police department joins the program, some of its officers are trained and authorized to help enforce certain federal immigration laws.
There are three main ways the 287(g) program can be used:
- Task Force Model: Local police officers are allowed to question, detain, and arrest people they suspect of breaking civil immigration laws while doing their regular police work in the community.
- Jail Enforcement Model: Officers can question people who are already in jail to find out their immigration status and place holds on them for ICE.
- Warrant Service Officer Model: Officers are allowed to serve ICE administrative warrants inside jails or correctional facilities.
Camden’s agreement with ICE followed the Task Force Model. This meant Camden police officers would have been able to check people’s immigration status and make arrests related to immigration while patrolling the streets. This model is the most controversial because it can affect people who have not been charged with any crime and can lead to racial profiling or fear in immigrant communities.
Why Did Camden Police Join the 287(g) Program?
The timing of Camden’s decision is important. On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order telling ICE to expand the 287(g) program as much as possible. This was part of a larger push by the administration to increase immigration enforcement across the United States ??. According to analysis from The Markup, the number of police departments joining the 287(g) program more than doubled in the first months of President Trump’s second term, especially in states like Florida.
Chief Marcus Whitney said the department joined the program with “good intentions.” He explained that the goal was to focus on people who already had criminal complaints against them, not to “go around and round people up.” However, the agreement was signed quietly, and many in the community only learned about it after the fact.
Community Pushback and Immediate Withdrawal
The news of Camden’s partnership with ICE spread quickly and sparked a strong reaction. Civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Delaware and the Delaware NAACP, spoke out against the agreement. They argued that 287(g) partnerships make immigrant communities afraid to talk to the police, even if they are victims or witnesses of crime.
Mike Brickner, Executive Director of ACLU-DE, said, “287(g) agreements undermine public safety by pitting local law enforcement against immigrant communities, meaning that victims of crime, witnesses, and others will be afraid to come forward and cooperate with police.” The ACLU-DE and Delaware NAACP sent a letter to Camden officials outlining these risks.
Maria Matos, head of the Latin American Community Center, wrote an opinion piece calling for a statewide ban on 287(g) agreements. She warned that these partnerships could destroy trust between police and the people they serve.
Faced with dozens of calls and emails from concerned residents, Chief Whitney announced on May 6, 2025, that Camden was withdrawing from the agreement. He said the decision was made in response to the community’s concerns.
Was the Partnership Really Ended?
While the public announcement suggested Camden had fully ended its partnership with ICE, emails obtained in June 2025 tell a different story. According to these emails, the Camden Police Department told ICE that the agreement was “on pause for the time being.” This language suggests the department may not have completely ended the partnership, but instead put it on hold while waiting to see what would happen next.
This “pause” raises questions about whether the department might restart the partnership in the future, especially if political or legal conditions change. It also raises concerns about transparency, since the public was told the agreement had been withdrawn.
Why Did Camden Police Pause the Partnership?
The emails between Camden police and ICE officials suggest that the department paused the partnership because of a “looming immigration bill” in the Delaware state legislature. While the exact details of this bill are not clear, it appears that Camden police were worried that new state laws could soon ban or limit local police involvement in federal immigration enforcement.
Advocacy groups like the ACLU-DE have been pushing for such laws. They want the state to ban all cities and towns from joining 287(g) agreements. Helen Salita, campaign manager at ACLU-DE, pointed out that there are several bills in the legislature aimed at protecting immigrant communities from harassment, data sharing with ICE, and ensuring children of immigrants can go to school without fear.
State Government’s Response
Delaware’s top officials have also weighed in on the issue. On January 29, 2025, Attorney General Kathy Jennings released “Know Your Rights” guidance for immigrants in Delaware. She said, “We believe in the rule of law, and that means defending the Constitution, ensuring public safety, and respecting the humanity of all Delaware residents.” Jennings made it clear that her main focus is on fighting violent crime and gun trafficking, not enforcing federal immigration laws.
This reflects a common view among many state and local officials across the United States ??, who believe immigration enforcement should be handled by the federal government, not local police.
Broader Trends in Immigration Enforcement
The situation in Camden is part of a larger trend of increased immigration enforcement under President Trump’s administration. In the first four months of 2025, federal immigration enforcement in Delaware has “quietly ramped up.” Criminal charges for unauthorized reentry have jumped, with at least 32 people charged so far this year, compared to just four in the same period last year. These actions are in line with President Trump’s campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration.
Florida has seen especially widespread use of the 287(g) program, with all residents now living in counties where local police are trained to help ICE. This shows how quickly the program can expand when supported by federal policy.
Transparency and Public Trust
One of the biggest concerns raised by the Camden case is the lack of transparency. The ACLU-DE said, “The city has not provided the public with any details on their agreement,” and has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to get all communications between Camden officials and ICE. The recent email revelations about the “pause” instead of a full withdrawal add to worries that the public is not being told the whole story.
When police departments make decisions that affect people’s rights and safety, it’s important for them to be open and honest with the community. Lack of transparency can damage trust, especially in immigrant communities that may already feel targeted or afraid.
What’s at Stake for Immigrants and the Community?
The debate over the Camden Police Department’s partnership with ICE is not just about policy—it’s about real people’s lives. Here’s what’s at stake:
- For Immigrants: 287(g) agreements can make immigrants afraid to report crimes, seek help, or cooperate with police. This can leave them more vulnerable to abuse or exploitation.
- For Police: When trust breaks down, it becomes harder for police to do their jobs. If people are afraid to talk to officers, crimes may go unreported and unsolved.
- For the Community: Public safety depends on everyone feeling safe enough to work with law enforcement. Policies that create fear can make entire neighborhoods less safe.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these concerns are not unique to Camden. Across the United States ??, communities are debating the right balance between enforcing immigration laws and protecting public safety.
What Happens Next?
The future of the Camden Police Department’s partnership with ICE remains uncertain. Several things could shape what happens next:
- State Legislation: If Delaware passes a law banning or limiting 287(g) agreements, Camden and other police departments would no longer be able to partner with ICE in this way.
- FOIA Request: The ACLU-DE’s request for public records could reveal more about how the agreement was made and why it was paused.
- Community Advocacy: Continued pressure from advocacy groups and community members could influence future decisions by the police department and local government.
- Federal Policy Changes: Changes in federal immigration policy or leadership could also affect how programs like 287(g) are used in the future.
Practical Guidance for Immigrants and Community Members
If you live in Delaware and are concerned about how immigration enforcement might affect you or your family, here are some steps you can take:
- Know Your Rights: Learn about your rights when interacting with police or ICE. The Delaware Attorney General’s office provides helpful guidance on this topic. You can find more information on the Delaware Department of Justice’s official website.
- Stay Informed: Follow local news and updates from trusted organizations like the ACLU-DE to stay aware of any changes in policy or law.
- Get Legal Help: If you have questions about your immigration status or need legal advice, contact a qualified immigration attorney or a local legal aid organization.
- Speak Up: If you feel safe doing so, share your concerns with local officials and participate in community meetings.
Conclusion
The Camden Police Department’s brief partnership with ICE under the 287(g) program has sparked a wider conversation about the role of local police in immigration enforcement. While the department announced a withdrawal after strong community opposition, internal emails suggest the agreement may only be on hold, not fully ended. This situation highlights the need for transparency, open communication, and careful consideration of how immigration policies affect everyone in the community.
As Delaware lawmakers consider new bills and advocacy groups push for more protections, the outcome in Camden could set an example for other towns and cities facing similar choices. For now, the debate continues, and the voices of community members, immigrants, and advocates will play a key role in shaping what happens next.
For more information on the 287(g) program and its impact, you can visit the ICE official 287(g) program page. This resource provides up-to-date details on how the program works and which agencies are participating.
By staying informed and engaged, residents of Delaware can help ensure that public safety and civil rights remain at the heart of local law enforcement decisions.
Learn Today
287(g) program → A federal policy allowing local police to enforce certain immigration laws after ICE training and authorization.
Task Force Model → A 287(g) application where local officers check immigration status during regular community patrols and enforce related laws.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency enforcing immigration laws, including removals and detentions.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) → A law that enables the public to request government documents and increase transparency.
Executive order → A directive issued by the President to manage operations of the federal government without Congressional approval.
This Article in a Nutshell
Camden Police’s new ICE partnership under 287(g) sparked strong backlash, leading to a withdrawal announcement. Yet, internal emails suggest the deal remains paused, deepening community distrust and spotlighting immigration enforcement controversies amid evolving Delaware legislation and public scrutiny.
— By VisaVerge.com
