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No Citizenship Check by New Castle County Police

New Castle County Police Badge

Those stopped by New Castle County law enforcement will not be asked about whether they are a citizen or not.

In addition, police will be barred from making an arrest on the basis of citizenship status.

County Executive Matt Meyer unveiled what is called the “Safe and Inclusive Communities” executive order yesterday.

The Wilmington News Journal reports that Meyer said it was not the job of local police to enforce immigration laws.

Nor, he added, was it the job of librarians or county employees.

Colonel Vaughn Bond Jr. with the New Castle County Police said there are many people who do not come forward because they fear deportation.

For the department the executive order merely codifies their current practices.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.