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Delaware Office of New Americans logo of a stylized butterfly inside a green circle.
Office of New Americans

Know Your Rights

Please consult an attorney for legal advice for your personal situation.
A list of immigration attorneys is listed on this page under “Resources”.

The Delaware Office of New Americans provides the following information. This information is not intended to provide legal advice and is not a substitute for legal assistance. This guidance outlines the constitutional protections under the Fourth Amendment and clarifies the rights and privileges of all Delaware residents, regardless of immigration status.

A message from Governor Matt Meyer and Elected Officials



Guidance Documents (PDF)

Guidance For Individuals
Orientación Para Individuos
Oryantasyon pou moun
Guidance for Organizations
Orientación Para Organizaciones
Gid pou òganizasyon yo
For K -12 Students and Schools
For University of Delaware Students

Understanding ICE Warrants

Annotated example of a judicial search warrant showing key details to review, including the court name, address, date, and judge’s signature.

Judicial Warrant

A judicial warrant is issued and signed by a judge after a showing of probable cause. This type of warrant carries stronger legal authority and may allow officers to enter a residence if it specifically authorizes that action.

Here’s what to look for:

  • The top of the document should say “U.S. District Court.”
  • The warrant should identify the correct person, address, or property to be searched.
  • Officers are generally limited to searching only the person, place, or property described in the warrant.
  • A search warrant is different from an arrest warrant. An arrest warrant alone does not authorize officers to search or enter a home.
  • Check the date and time limits. The warrant can only be executed within the time period listed.
  • Check the signature. The warrant must be signed by a judge to be valid.
Annotated example of a DHS administrative arrest warrant showing key details to review.

Administrative Warrant

An Administrative Warrant used by immigration enforcement officers is issued internally by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. An administrative warrant does not grant ICE permission to enter or search your house.

If ICE agents show you an administrative warrant, you do not have to let them in. If they force their way in, say you do not consent, but do not try to stop them.

Remember:

  • The document must be signed by an immigration officer to be valid.
  • The warrant only permits an arrest of the indicated person, NOT a search of any private property.

Emergency Planning

Plan ahead in the event that you or a loved one is detained or arrested by immigration enforcement officials. Click below for more information.

Emergency Planning Toolkit

Statewide Protections

Law Enforcement

In the State of Delaware, state and local enforcement agencies are prohibited from entering into agreements to exercise federal civil immigration authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act, also known as 287(g) agreements. This is the result of House Bill 182 with House Amendment 1, legislation passed during the first General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Matt Meyer.

House Bill 182 with House Amendment 1 prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from entering into agreements to exercise federal civil immigration authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act, also known as 287(g) agreements. It also prohibits those agencies from detaining or housing individuals who are in custody of the federal immigration authority for violating federal immigration law. That means that a state or local law enforcement agency cannot be forced to detain a person on behalf of federal law enforcement just because they have violated federal immigration law.

State law enforcement

  • Delaware State Police
  • Capitol Police
  • Delaware Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Officers
  • Delaware Department of Justice
  • Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Police
  • Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and their Families Probation and Parole Officers
  • Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA) Police
  • Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement

County, city, and town police departments

  • New Castle County Police Department
  • Wilmington Police Department
  • Dover Police Department
  • Georgetown Police Department
  • All other municipal police forces

Campus police departments

  • University of Delaware Police Department
  • Delaware State University Police Department

State Fire Marshal

No, it does not. Delaware law enforcement must still comply with valid court-issued warrants or orders and other requirements regarding disclosure of criminal history and record information under federal law.

Citizen’s Arrest

In 2025, Governor Matt Meyer signed House Bill 153 with House Amendment 1 into law, prohibiting individuals without explicit statutory authority from making arrests or detaining others. House Bill 153 with House Amendment 1 bans the practice commonly known as “Citizen’s Arrest”.

If you witness someone being detained or arrested by an individual who you believe does not have the explicit legal authority to do so, do not intervene. Observe and document safely, if possible. Call 9-1-1 if something seems unsafe or unlawful.

Impersonation of a Federal Law Enforcement Official

House Bill 152 with House Amendment 1 was signed into law by Governor Matt Meyer in 2025, expanded the criminal offense of impersonating a police officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, paramedic, or fire officer to also prohibit the impersonation of a federal officer.

If you believe someone may be falsely claiming to be a federal officer or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, do not physically intervene or comply beyond what is necessary for your immediate safety. Instead, request identification if it is safe to do so, and immediately report the situation to local law enforcement by calling 9-1-1.

You may also submit documentation if you witness misconduct by a federal agent by clicking using the Federal Misconduct Form.

Resources

Sussex County

La Esperanza
216 North Race Street
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: (302) 854-9262

Catholic Charities
404 South Bedford Street, Suite 9
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: (302) 856-9578

Delaware 2-1-1
Call: 2-1-1
Available Monday through Friday,
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Jewish Family Services
20684 John J. Williams Highway, Suite 4
Lewes, DE 19958
Phone: (302) 4827-6040

Kent County

Catholic Charities
2099 South DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 674-1600

Delaware 2-1-1
Call: 2-1-1
Available Monday through Friday,
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Jewish Family Services
1001 South Bradford Street
Suite 3
Dover, DE 19904
Phone: (302) 478-9411

New Castle County

Latin American Community Center
403 North Van Buren Street
Wilmington, DE 19805
Phone: (302) 655-7338

Jewish Family Services
99 Passmore Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
Phone: (302) 478-9411

West End Neighborhood House
710 North Lincoln Street
Wilmington, DE 19805
Phone: (302) 658-4171

Statewide

Please note that the State of Delaware does not endorse any of these law firms. This is simply a resource list and we encourage individuals to do their own due diligence when selecting a resource.

Nina Qureshi Immigration Law
820 North Market Street
Suite 1001A
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (302) 660-8647

Hogan & Vanderberg
824 North Market Street
Suite 412
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (302) 225-2734

Huang Law
3513 Concord Pike
Suite 3100
Wilmington, DE 19803
Phone: (302) 478-2900

Lupton Law Immigration Law
31 The Circle
Suites 203 & 204
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: (610) 445-0144

Murphy Law Firm
313 North Bedford Street
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: (302) 855-1055

Law Office of Nkem Uzoka
501 Silverside Road
#45
Wilmington, DE 19809
Phone: (302) 465-3538

Delawareans may also use the Delaware State Bar Association’s free online referral service to search for an attorney. Click here to visit the referral page.

Statewide

Delaware Community Legal Aid Society (CLASI)
CLASI provides free legal help to immigrants who live in Delaware and are survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, or other violent crime, as well as abused, abandoned, or neglected immigrant children and youth.

Dover Office
Phone: (302) 674-8500

Wilmington Office
Phone: (302) 674-8500

Georgetown Office
Phone: (302) 856-0038

Compassion Immigration Services
Compassion Immigration Services provides legal services ranging from employment immigration to adjustment of status to family reunification.

Wilmington Office
1314 North King Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (610) 574-7188

Office of Immigration Assistance, Delaware Department of Justice
The Delaware Department of Justice’s Office of Immigration Assistance provides counseling services and assistance for residents of Delaware applying for citizenship and/or immigration benefits.

Wilmington Office
820 North French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (302) 577-8390

Legal Services Corporation of Delaware
The Legal Services Corporation of Delaware is a non-profit organization that offers legal advice and assistance to people who cannot afford a private attorney. The organization provides legal advice and assistance in matters related to bankruptcy, debt relief, consumer, finance, housing and unemployment compensation.

New Castle County Office
100 West 10th Street
Suite 203
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (302) 575-0408 ext. 100

Kent County Office
24A Hiawatha Lane
Dover, DE 19904
(302) 734-8820

Sussex County (no physical office)
Phone: (302) 575-0408 ext. 100

Sussex County

Sussex Help
Sussex Help is dedicated to offering assistance, including food, clothing, and shelter, to Sussex County families in crisis.

Phone: (302) 260-6111
Email: contact@sussexhelp.org

New Castle County

New Castle Help
New Castle HELP is a volunteer-driven effort to support Delaware’s immigrant families in temporary and acute crisis.

Email: nchelppdsp@proton.me

The following consulates service the State of Delaware residents:

Mexican nationals

Guatemalan Nationals

Haitian Nationals

Indian Nationals

Chinese Nationals

Jamaican Nationals

Nigerian Nationals

Non-listed consulates

Click here for a full list of consulates.

If you believe an additional organization or resource should be included on this page, please email onainfo@delaware.gov.