Delaware
Delaware lawmakers move to shield immigrant families from federal scrutiny
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For 14 years, Maria Jose Nolasco Ramírez has lived in Delaware with her children, quietly navigating everyday life with a growing fear behind the wheel.
For undocumented immigrants like Nolasco Ramírez, driving without a license is often not a choice — it’s a necessity. In many parts of Delaware, especially in rural and suburban areas, public transportation is limited or nonexistent. Parents still need to take their children to school, get to work or attend medical appointments. For years, she took that risk every day.
Nolasco Ramírez came to the U.S from Guatemala after fleeing abuse and seeking safety. She made the journey through the desert, determined to find peace and opportunity for herself and her American children. But in Delaware, like many undocumented immigrants, her lack of legal status limited nearly every part of life: employment, healthcare, homeownership and transportation.
“Con todo eso que se escucha que migración, tienes miedo de salir… más que todo tengo tres hijos … tal vez por un tiempo estén solos. Pero el país de ellos es aquí. Entonces, las oportunidades de ellos están aquí, y para que ellos tengan esas oportunidades, necesitan un apoyo”, ella dijo.
“With all this stuff you hear about immigration, you’re afraid to leave … more than anything, I have three children … maybe they’ll be alone for a while. But their home country is here. Their opportunities are here, and for them to have those opportunities, they need support,” she said.
Her anxiety followed her everywhere, bracing every time she saw flashing lights. Then in 2015, Delaware introduced the Driving Privilege Card, a limited-use driver’s license for undocumented immigrants.
“Antes de que dieran esta licencia para nosotros las personas sin documentos, era bien difícil porque yo tenía ticket atrás ticket atrás ticket, por no tener licencia”, ella dijo. “Estuve en riesgo de terminar presa.”
“Before they gave us undocumented people this license, it was very difficult because I had ticket after ticket after ticket, for not having a license,” she said. “I was at risk of ending up in jail.”
When she finally earned her card, it changed everything.
“Yo me puse con mucho empeño a estudiar, estudiar, estudiar para aprender el examen porque [yo] no tenía mucha idea de todas las reglas de aquí. Cuando yo fui y pasé el examen, fue el día más feliz de mi vida … yo lloré como una niña chiquita”, ella dijo. “[Lo que] pasa por tu mente [son] todos esos años que estuviste manejando con miedo … que siempre que te paraba el policía te decepcionas más. Eran momentos que pensabas que si valía la pena estar aquí.”
“I worked really hard to study, study, study to learn the exam because I didn’t have much of an idea of all the rules here. When I went and passed the exam, it was the happiest day of my life … I cried like a little girl,” she said. “What goes through your mind are all those years you were driving in fear … that every time the police stopped you, you became more disappointed. Those were moments when you wondered if it was worth it to be here.”
Delaware
Delaware State Police Thanks Public for Support During Dignified Transfer of Cpl/1 Matthew T. “Ty” Snook – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware
The Delaware State Police would like to thank the public, partnering agencies, and members of the law enforcement community for their overwhelming support and respect shown during today’s dignified transfer honoring Cpl/1 Matthew T. “Ty” Snook.
As Cpl/1 Snook was escorted with honor, members of the community lined roadways, stood in silence, and displayed messages of gratitude and support. The Delaware State Police are deeply grateful for the compassion shown to Cpl/1 Snook’s family and to the women and men who continue to serve during this time of profound loss.
“The outpouring of support shown today serves as a powerful reminder that Cpl/1 Snook’s service and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” said Colonel William D. Crotty, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. “On behalf of the Delaware State Police, I thank the public and our law enforcement partners for standing with Ty’s family and with our agency during this heartbreaking time. We continue to ask for prayers for his wife, his daughter, and the entire family.”
“Cpl/1 Matthew “Ty” Snook was a dedicated Delaware State Trooper whose courage and commitment to protecting others was evident every day he put on his uniform. He was also a husband and a father. In his final moments, he showed the kind of bravery most of us can only imagine, reflecting the highest values of service. As we hold his wife, his little girl, the law-enforcement community, and all who loved him close in our hearts, may we honor Ty’s legacy by striving to build a world worthy of the sacrifice he made,” said Governor Matt Meyer.
“We are mourning the tragic loss of one of our own Delaware State Troopers, Cpl/1 Matthew “Ty” Snook, who was murdered in the line of duty. This is a devastating time for Ty’s family, for the men and women of the Delaware State Police, and for our entire law enforcement family across the state. Cpl/1 Snook made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the people of Delaware—answering a call to protect others, never knowing it would be his last. His courage, commitment, and selflessness will never be forgotten. We ask all Delawareans to keep Ty’s family, friends, and fellow troopers in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” said Secretary Joshua Bushweller, Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
The Delaware State Police remains deeply appreciative of the continued support shown by the community as the agency continues to grieve the loss of Cpl/1 Snook.
With the approval of the Snook family, information regarding an official fund established to support Cpl/1 Snook’s loved ones is available at Help Support Corporal Grade One Snook’s Family | Help a Hero.
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WILMINGTON, De. – Officials have identified the Delaware State Police trooper who was shot and killed in a DMV in Wilmington on Tuesday.
Delaware State Police trooper killed
Delaware State Police Corporal Grade One Matthew T. “Ty” Snook. (Credit: Delaware State Police)
What we know:
Matthew “Ty” Snook was killed in the shooting in Wilmington on Tuesday, Dec. 23, the Delaware State Police announced on Wednesday.
Snook, 34, was a 10-year veteran of the department and a Delaware native. He is survived by his wife and their one-year-old daughter.
Delaware DMV shooting
The backstory:
The shooting happened just after 2 p.m. Tuesday, at the DMV office on Hessler Boulevard in Wilmington.
According to officials, the 44-year-old suspect walked into the DMV as a customer, before walking up to Snook and shooting him. Snook then pushed a DMV employee out of the way of the shooter, before the suspect shot Snook again.
Other officers shot and killed the shooter.
Snook died from his injuries shortly after. One other trooper suffered a minor, non-gunshot-related injury. One woman was also hospitalized for a minor injury.
What we don’t know:
Officials have not yet identified the suspected shooter.
Delaware community responds
What they’re saying:
Delaware State Police called Snook “a respected colleague, a trusted partner, and a beloved member of both the Delaware State Police and the community he served.”
In an online fundraising campaign for Snook’s family, the Delaware State Troopers Association called Snook “a loving husband, devoted father and a deeply cherished friend.”
“Those who knew him remember his steady presence, his kindness, and his unwavering commitment to the people he loved,” the organization wrote, adding that “as a Trooper, Ty served the people of Delaware with courage, integrity and selflessness.”
What you can do:
Snook’s family has started a “Help a Hero” campaign, raising money to help with expenses. More information about that fundraiser can be found by clicking here.
What’s next:
No funeral arrangements for Snook have been announced.
The Source: Information in this story is from the Delaware State Police and previous FOX 29 reports.
WILMINGTON — Today, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer ordered all flags at state buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff in remembrance of the Delaware State Trooper who was killed in the line of duty during the tragic shooting at the Wilmington DMV in New Castle.
Governor Matt Meyer, First Lady Lauren Meyer, Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay, and Second Gentleman Olin Gay issued the following statement:
“Today, we mourn the loss of a Delaware State Trooper who gave his life in the line of duty. He made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his fellow Delawareans, and our hearts are broken for his family. We are praying for them, their loved ones, and every state trooper as they grieve this sudden and unimaginable loss.
“Protecting the lives and livelihoods of Delawareans is our most fundamental responsibility, and moments like this underscore both the risks our first responders take and the courage they show every day. We are deeply grateful to the state and local law enforcement officers and emergency personnel whose professionalism and quick action helped prevent further harm.”
Flags will remain at half-staff until further notice. For real-time flag status notifications, visit https://news.delaware.gov/subscribe/.
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