SR17 • 2025

EXPRESSING OUTRAGE OVER DEATHS INVOLVING AGENTS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY; CALLING FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO PRESERVE FAITH AND TRUST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT; AND AFFIRMING THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Sokola
Last action: 2026-01-29
Official status: Passed Senate 1/29/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how DHS will respond or any further actions required after the resolution has passed.

Expressing Outrage Over Deaths Involving DHS Agents

A bill expressing outrage over deaths involving U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents and calling for transparency and accountability to maintain public trust in law enforcement.

What This Bill Does

The Senate expresses its anger about deaths caused by ICE and Border Patrol agents, which are part of the DHS.
It calls for federal agencies to stop using excessive force against non-violent individuals.
It requests that state officials be allowed to investigate these cases without being blocked by laws protecting federal agents.
It encourages all DHS agents to respect the Constitution and First Amendment rights.

Who It Names or Affects

People in communities where ICE and Border Patrol operate
DHS agents involved with ICE and Border Patrol

Terms To Know

First Amendment: A part of the U.S. Constitution that protects people's rights to free speech, religion, press, assembly, and petitioning the government.
DHS: Department of Homeland Security, a federal agency responsible for protecting the United States from threats.

Limits and Unknowns

This resolution does not create new laws or change existing ones; it only expresses opinions and calls for action.
It is unclear how DHS will respond to this resolution.

Bill History

2026-01-29 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced in Senate
2026-01-29 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 6 NOT VOTING

Official Summary Text

EXPRESSING OUTRAGE OVER DEATHS INVOLVING AGENTS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY; CALLING FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO PRESERVE FAITH AND TRUST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT; AND AFFIRMING THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
This resolution considers the increasingly egregious tactics, including lethal use of force, being used by agents of the Department of Homeland Security.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Sokola

Sens. Townsend, Lockman, Brown, Cruce, Hansen, Hoffner, Huxtable, Mantzavinos, Paradee, Pinkney, Poore, Seigfried, Sturgeon, Walsh

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 17

EXPRESSING OUTRAGE OVER DEATHS INVOLVING AGENTS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY; CALLING FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO PRESERVE FAITH AND TRUST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT; AND AFFIRMING THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

WHEREAS, the right to peaceful protest of the government is a fundamental right enshrined in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, Constitutional amendments are rendered meaningless if federal agents are permitted to deploy deadly force against the public with no consequences; and

WHEREAS, in recent weeks and months, across the country multiple deaths have occurred from actions of agents of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) and the United States Border Patrol (“Border Patrol”), which are agencies within the United States Department of Homeland Security; and

WHEREAS, state-level officials have faced federal barriers to investigating conduct and deaths that occur in their jurisdiction; and

WHEREAS, the continued operations of ICE and the Border Patrol in communities throughout the United States without clear transparency and accountability for their actions has increased tensions and undermined public safety and trust; and

WHEREAS, the public’s trust in law enforcement is critical to public safety and the safety of law enforcement officers themselves, and abuses of power damage that trust.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware hereby condemns and expresses its outrage over tragic killings at the hands of federal agents.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate calls for the immediate cessation of excessive conduct by federal law enforcement, as that serves to undermine the public’s faith and trust in government, and in all law enforcement, including the use of deadly force in response to non-violent conduct.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate calls for accountability when federal agents use deadly force, including through independent, state-level investigations free from automatic federal immunity.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate urges all agents of the United States Department of Homeland Security, including ICE and the Border Patrol, and all federal officials, to respect the United States Constitution and the First Amendment, and to view peaceful protests not as a threat, but as a defining strength of American democracy.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution considers the increasingly egregious tactics, including lethal use of force, being used by agents of the Department of Homeland Security.

Author: Senator Sokola