CAMDEN WITHDRAWS FROM ICE IMMIGRATION AGREEMENT AFTER PUBLIC OUTCRY
KENT COUNTY, DELAWARE — The Camden Police Department has withdrawn from a controversial partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after facing strong opposition from civil rights advocates and community members.
According to ICE records, Camden had entered the agency’s 287(g) program on April 29, becoming the first police department in Delaware to do so. The program allows local law enforcement to enforce limited federal immigration laws under ICE supervision. Camden’s participation was under the “Task Force Model,” which authorizes officers to identify and process undocumented individuals during routine policing activities.
The agreement was met with swift criticism from organizations including the ACLU of Delaware and the Delaware NAACP. Both groups voiced concerns that the move could erode trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities and potentially lead to racial profiling.
On Tuesday, Camden Police Chief confirmed that the department had officially withdrawn from the agreement. House Democratic leaders praised the decision, calling it a “thoughtful reevaluation” of how local law enforcement resources should be used.
The ACLU of Delaware also urged state lawmakers to consider banning similar agreements statewide. Currently, ICE reports that over 500 active 287(g) agreements exist across 39 states.
