DOVER, Del. - With a 3-2 vote on Thursday, the Senate Executive Committee advanced House Bill 182, which would prevent local law enforcement agencies from entering into agreements with federal immigration authorities to enforce immigration violations or share related data.
During the meeting, 21 people spoke in favor of the legislation. Among them were representatives from the Delaware Hispanic Commission, Casa de Venezuela, the ACLU of Delaware, and the Votamos, We Vote Coalition.
The bill's primary sponsor is Rep. Mara Gorman (D-District 23). Co-sponsors include Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall (D-District 14), and Sen. Russel Huxtable, (D-District 6).
If HB 182 passes, it would prevent local police from being authorized to enforce federal immigration laws during their normal duties. CoastTV reported in May that the city of Camden signed a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The agreement was finalized on April 29, according to ICE. On May 6, the Camden police chief said the department had withdrawn from the agreement following pushback.
For Katy Castillo, who was born and raised in the First State but whose parents came from Mexico, the bill means a lot.
"We're hoping to pass it for many reasons. One, thinking about the community. We know that if law enforcement is working with ICE to meet these extreme quotas, then they won't be, they won't trust the police to report any crimes to them, to their community," she said.
She also shared concerns about racial profiling and documentation.
"All over the country, U.S. citizens, even though they look like me, are being detained," Castillo said. "They are being profiled, and I think if our local law enforcement also has to meet these quotas, then I'm scared I have to carry my birth certificate around, that I will also be targeted. The entire community is scared of that."
Araceli Gil, a concerned citizen living in Dagsboro, spoke about the impact immigration enforcement has had on her family.
"My parents went through a lot of crimes, but they were fearful to report anything because of possible ICE involvement, immigration involvement, or anything that may hinder them from being here in this country," she said.
She described the committee vote as a response to recent organizing.
"We had been advocating for it since Tuesday. We have been coming here back and forth, and to know that our efforts are not in vain, that they're actually working, it's very exciting," Gil said. "It's good news that we can bring back to the community. This is very exciting, but we still need to keep pressuring to make sure that this goes through."
With Monday marking the last day of the legislative session, community members and leaders hope that HB 182, which passed the House on Tuesday, will reach the Senate floor and pass.