DOVER – Delaware House Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris has issued a formal statement outlining the goals and values behind recent public safety legislation passed by the House Democratic Caucus. These efforts, developed in collaboration with Delaware law enforcement agencies and the Department of Justice, are intended to protect residents from harmful and fear-driven federal immigration enforcement and preserve trust in local public safety institutions.
“As Majority Leader, I am proud to lead a caucus that believes in acting early, whenever possible, to prevent harm before it reaches our communities,” Harris stated. “That principle guided our efforts this session as we passed a series of carefully crafted public safety laws to protect Delawareans from fear-based immigration enforcement, federal overreach, and the erosion of trust in those sworn to protect us.”
A recent incident in Milton underscores these concerns in our community. Even though the matter remains under investigation, an individual reported being stopped and robbed by two people claiming to be ICE agents. Regardless of the outcome, the very fact that this story was immediately believable reflects the heightened fear and distrust many residents feel toward immigration enforcement. And that fear is not unfounded. It stems from the increasingly aggressive and unpredictable tactics used by federal ICE agents. These tactics blur the line between enforcement and intimidation, creating deep anxiety for families across our state, especially for women and children.
“When masked individuals with weapons and no clear identification confront people in public or in their homes, families face impossible choices. If they resist, they risk arrest. If they comply, they risk harm or never being seen again,” Harris said. “This is not law and order. It is fear and chaos, and it has no place in a free society.”
The legislation passed includes three key provisions:
• A prohibition on new 287(g) agreements, which would deputize local officers as federal immigration agents and divert resources from local safety priorities.
• A ban on impersonating law enforcement officers, to protect the public from those who exploit the appearance of authority to intimidate or harm.
• The end of citizen’s arrests based on immigration suspicion, ensuring that law enforcement responsibility stays with trained professionals.
“These laws were written to protect responsible, law-abiding Delawareans, whether they are documented or not,” Harris stated. “Any criminal activity that endangers others remains fully enforceable under Delaware law. We struck a deliberate balance: protecting people living peaceful, productive lives while holding dangerous criminals accountable.”
“We will not allow fear to define our communities,” she concluded. “Delaware House Democrats are committed to protecting our communities with fairness, justice, and unwavering purpose.”
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