DOVER — Governor Matt Meyer announced today that the State of Delaware and the Delaware Department of Justice will appeal a recent federal court decision ordering the Delaware Department of Labor to provide employee wage and identification records to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“I will continue to go as far as the law allows to fight federal overreach and unlawful immigration enforcement,” said Governor Meyer. “This is not a time to stand down but to step up for the most vulnerable in our community and to protect businesses and workers in our state. This is not about public safety. It is about turning worker information into a data pipeline for ICE. It is un-American, and Delaware will have no part in it. Because the moment workers fear their information will be used against them, the whole system breaks down. In Delaware, we protect workers. We don’t set traps.”
The April 13 court ruling requires the state to comply with a federal administrative subpoena seeking employment data from 15 Delaware businesses as part of an immigration-related investigation. The subpoena at the center of the case seeks detailed wage records, including names, addresses, and Social Security numbers, tied to a federal investigation into alleged employment of undocumented workers. Further details of the subpoena remain confidential as ordered by the federal district court.
“One of the most central pillars to American life is getting a job and being able to provide for ourselves and our families,” said Sen. Marie Pinkney. “I support the efforts of Governor Meyer and Attorney General Jennings to protect workers across our state from unnecessary surveillance and overreach by ICE and the Trump Administration.”
“I’m proud to represent one of the most diverse districts in Delaware, but with that comes a responsibility to speak up when our communities are being impacted. Unfortunately, the Trump administration has continued to target communities like mine. We’ve seen increased ICE activity in our neighborhoods, even in places like our local Wawa,” said Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton. “I’m grateful to the Meyer administration for standing its ground because at a time like this, state and municipal governments are the last line of defense for our democracy. We in the legislature are committed to protecting our citizens from the tyranny of the federal government.”
“This move is not about transparency, it is about inciting fear and gaining even more control over the people of this country,” said Rep. Mara Gorman. “Delawareans should not have to worry that they could be accosted as they work to support our communities and our state’s economy as a whole. Thank you to Governor Meyer and Attorney General Jennings for continuing to fight for what’s right and standing up for our most vulnerable neighbors.”
“Our communities are under attack and genuinely terrified. Fortunately, here in Delaware, we have leaders who are willing to stand between this administration and those we serve in order to protect them and their rights. But now is the time for us to do more than stand between the problem; We need to actively fight back against it,” said Rep. Josue Ortega. “With this action, Governor Meyer and Attorney General Jennings are sending a very clear message that they aren’t afraid to stand up for Delaware and take a real stand against the inhumane policies of the federal administration.”
The administration worked with the Delaware Department of Justice to file an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The state will also seek appropriate relief to delay enforcement of the order while the appeal is pending. Further updates will be provided as the case proceeds.
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