11/19/25

The University of Delaware (UD) Office of the President hosted a Know Your Rights panel with Kathy Jennings, Delaware Attorney General, Chief Patrick Ogden, UD Police Department (UDPD), Ravi Ammigan, UD Center for Global Programs & Services (CGPS), David Bentz, UD Director of Government Relations, Rep. Mara Gorman, Delaware House District 23, Adam Cantley, UD Assistant Vice President for Student Wellbeing, Support, and Advocacy, and Angela Velez, UD Associate General Counsel. Several questions were asked to the panel and we have summarized the answers to them below.

Highlights

• State and local police in Delaware deliberately avoid civil immigration enforcement, focusing instead on criminal matters and community trust.
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• Delaware has enacted policies such as HB 182 banning 287(g) agreements and other measures enhancing policing transparency, all aimed at preventing misuse of authority and maintaining trust with immigrant communities.
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• Police leaders reiterated they do not intend to honor civil detainers without criminal cause, and legislators signaled readiness to add protections if federal agencies misuse their authority.
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• The Attorney General’s office actively challenges federal immigration actions it views as unlawful, though the state cannot compel federal compliance with Delaware’s constitutional standards.
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• Law enforcement agencies, including UDPD, train using national best practices to manage encounters with federal immigration agencies and instruct the community to report ICE activity immediately through channels like LiveSafe.
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• CGPS functions as the university’s central support hub for international students, offering immigration advising, travel documentation assistance, crisis support, and real-time monitoring of federal policy shifts.
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• Students are urged to consult CGPS before traveling because of rapid federal policy changes; emergency phone access ensures support even during international travel.
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• The university provides comprehensive crisis and well-being support, including counseling, telecounseling, emergency housing, food assistance, and referrals to immigration attorneys when needed.
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• Panelists emphasized the emotional strain immigration enforcement places on students and families, highlighting the need for community allyship, accurate information-sharing, and participation in civic processes.
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• Transparency and accountability are central to both state law enforcement and university administration, with mandatory accreditation, body cameras, public reporting, and direct engagement with affected communities shaping policy and practice.

Distinctions Between Local, State, Campus, and Federal Law Enforcement

The state has full authority over state criminal law, while federal immigration enforcement is entirely separate. State and local police, including UDPD, do not enforce civil immigration law, nor do they participate in civil deportation operations. State and local police may cooperate with ICE when it comes to criminal offenses. Overstaying a visa is a civil offense.

Local police focus on public safety and building community trust, not immigration status. Visa overstays and similar issues are civil matters, and officers are instructed not to intervene. This separation is a deliberate policy choice in Delaware, supported by law enforcement itself to maintain trust with immigrant communities.

Federal agencies such as ICE operate independently, and, according to DE AG Jennings, their actions may sometimes conflict with state-level protections. Multiple panelists underscored that while the state seeks to safeguard residents’ rights, its laws and abilities are superseded by federal law.

Legislative and Policy Measures in Delaware to Protect Immigrant Communities

Delaware continues to pursue legislative efforts to limit state involvement in immigration enforcement without hindering collaboration on non-immigration criminal matters.

The most prominent example is HB 182, which bans 287(g) agreements in Delaware. 287(g) agreements allow local law enforcement to effectively act as immigration officers. Delaware prohibited this practice, and law enforcement supported the ban. Other legislative actions include criminalizing impersonation of federal officers, banning citizen’s arrests, and developing bills addressing transparency in policing (ID requirements, mask use, arrest limitations at state buildings). These measures aim to prevent abuses, protect law enforcement officers, and strengthen community trust.

While technically still available, Delaware police leaders consistently stated they have no intention of honoring civil detainer requests without criminal cause, citing legal and civil-rights risks. Legislators are monitoring this and Rep. Gorman signaled readiness to enact further protections if misuse begins.

At the state level, the Attorney General’s office has taken aggressive legal action against federal immigration policies deemed unconstitutional or harmful, including challenges to attempts to end birthright citizenship. These lawsuits have had tangible impacts, such as protecting state funding.

Rights Protections, Civil Liberties, and State Limitations

Delaware protects civil rights through the Civil Rights & Public Trust Division of the Delaware Department of Justice, which investigates violations and takes action when possible. 

Examples were provided of federal operations that involved forced entry, nighttime raids, or detention of individuals with no criminal history. The AG’s office can intervene informally in some cases but cannot compel federal agencies to follow state constitutional interpretations.

Across the panel, protecting community trust was emphasized as both a moral obligation and an operational necessity. Both law enforcement and legal officials stressed that state agencies avoid entanglement with civil immigration enforcement precisely because involvement erodes trust and discourages community members from reporting crimes or seeking help.

Emergency Response and Preparedness for Federal Enforcement Operations

UDPD and state police departments emphasized their preparedness for scenarios involving immigration enforcement occurring near or on campus. Delaware law enforcement uses national best-practice guidance from organizations such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) to train officers on the distinction between civil and criminal violations, appropriate interactions with federal agencies, and community-centered safety practices.

The key directive to the UD community is simple: if anyone sees ICE or another federal agency on or near campus, contact UDPD immediately. The LiveSafe app was highlighted as the fastest mechanism since it connects directly to UD’s dispatch center rather than local 911 networks.

Police leadership also clarified that while officers may secure a perimeter for public safety during federal operations, they do not participate in civil immigration enforcement actions.

University Support Infrastructure for International Students and Others Affected by Immigration Issues

UD maintains an extensive support system for international students. CGPS is the central hub, offering immigration advising, travel documentation support, emergency phone access, and educational events. Advisors maintain federal certification and ongoing training to ensure accuracy and compliance.

CGPS also tracks federal policy changes, collaborates with external immigration counsel, produces webinars, and hosts cultural-belonging programs. The office functions both as a compliance unit and as a community-building resource.

The Office of General Counsel represents the university, not individuals. They cannot offer personal legal representation, partly because they aren’t trained in this area of law. Additionally, they cannot guarantee confidentiality when students raise legal issues, because they work for the University and may have to disclose liabilities to UD. Students needing individual advice should use resources recommended by CGPS. For immigration law, a person needs a personal attorney.

For students facing crises, immigration-related or otherwise, the University provides counseling services, 24/7 telecounseling through TimelyCare, emergency housing, food support, and a student crisis fund. These resources apply to all students, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

Travel Guidance, Visa Maintenance, and Navigating Policy Changes

For international travel, students need to maintain complete documentation and obtain timely I-20 travel signatures from CGPS. The office hosts travel signature days, provides one-on-one advising, maintains extensive online resources, and communicates regularly through newsletters.

International students are strongly encouraged to consult CGPS before making any travel decisions because of rapid policy changes at the federal level. The university’s emergency line ensures that international students traveling abroad or encountering issues can reach staff at any time.

For non-students or those seeking community legal resources, CGPS maintains recommendations for qualified immigration attorneys. Students can access congressional assistance for urgent immigration issues. Delaware’s delegation, like Representative McBride and Senator Rochester, has dedicated immigrant-services staff and are equipped to handle emergencies.

Mental Health, Well-Being, and the Emotional Burden of Enforcement Anxiety

Student Life has a spectrum of support, from counseling to advocacy services. Counselors are increasingly trained on the unique pressures international students face, including the presence of a former international student on staff to inform and improve service delivery.

Students are encouraged to access TimelyCare for after-hours support and multilingual counseling. Many students suffer stress related to family abroad or the threat of enforcement in their communities, and the university stressed that support extends beyond the individual student to the circumstances affecting their loved ones.

Community Allyship, Peer Support, and Campus Climate

Participation in CGPS events, cultural programs, and community gatherings helps international students feel welcome and understood. Countering misinformation is a key responsibility for allies. Panelists highlighted the power young people have in shaping political and social outcomes, through showing up at hearings, spreading accurate information, and building inclusive communities.

Transparency, Trust, and Accountability in Law Enforcement and University Administration

Both state law enforcement and university officials emphasized transparency as essential for trust. Delaware has implemented advanced policing standards, which include mandatory accreditation for all agencies, body-worn cameras with centralized evidence storage, public reporting on use-of-force data, and unified communications infrastructure.

The Attorney General stressed that trust is built not only through policy but through listening to affected communities. She shared experiences of meeting privately with undocumented families who had lost wage earners to ICE sweeps, underscoring the human cost of federal enforcement operations.

The General Counsel reiterated that much of their work must remain confidential, but one of their main duties is to continuously ensure the accuracy of information presented by the university and coordinate across units to support students and employees.