Delaware

Delaware congressional delegation to highlight ICE opposition at State of the Union

Published

4 months ago

February 25, 2026

Delaware congressional delegation to highlight ICE opposition at State of the Union

What are journalists missing from the state of Delaware? What would you most like WHYY News to cover? Let us know.

Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester is using her plus-one to Tuesday night’s State of the Union address to highlight her opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Immigration advocate Maria Mesias-Tatnall is Blunt Rochester’s guest to the president’s speech. As director of outreach and immigration assistance at the Delaware Department of Justice, she was key to negotiating the release of a Delaware mother of two from Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention.

The Democratic U.S. senator said Delaware residents suspected of being undocumented are being subjected to harsh enforcement actions, similar to reports out of other states around the country.

“What we wanted to highlight at the State of the Union was that a year later, things are not better,” Blunt Rochester said. “They’re not better as it pertains to costs for people and as it pertains to the fear that it is created in communities where even our local law enforcement have had to feel an erosion of trust.”

Mesias-Tatnall told reporters Tuesday about the attempted deportation of Sussex County resident Isabella, who was detained by ICE last year. Isabella is a nickname to protect her identity.

Isabella, a domestic violence survivor, has requested legal status through a U visa. It is set aside for victims of certain crimes, such as domestic violence and sexual assault, who are helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.

Isabella’s ex-husband stabbed her in 2019. She helped police catch him and deport him back to Central America and has been granted temporary legal status in the U.S.

But last year, Mesias-Tatnall said ICE agents broke down Isabella’s door without a judicial warrant and detained her and her brother. Isabella was flown to Louisiana.

“For about a month, Isabella is left on an inch-thick mattress in cells where the detainees were mistreated with a level of evilness and cruelty that is uncool and unjustified,” Mesias-Tatnall said.

Isabella was set to be deported back to her native country, where her abuser could have been waiting to greet her. But with help from Mesias-Tatnall and the Community Legal Aid Society, Inc., Delaware Department of Justice attorneys convinced federal agents to release her. She is now back in Delaware with her children after Mesias-Tatnall flew to Louisiana to pick her up. But she said the family is still coping with the trauma.

“How do you tell children, ‘That’s not going to happen’ or ‘That’s not going to happen again’ — because it can happen,” Mesias-Tatnall said. “It can happen to any of us.”

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Delaware

All lanes open after I-69 closure in Delaware County

Published

9 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

All lanes open after I-69 closure in Delaware County

DELAWARE COUNTY, Ind. — All lanes closed on I-69 in the southbound direction in Delaware County on Friday morning.

Authorities with the Indiana State Police were dispatched to the 240.5 mile marker on a report of a crash involving a semi at approximately 8:08 a.m.

All lanes are now open.

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Delaware

After devastating fire at historic Delaware church, a summer festival carries on

Published

19 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

After devastating fire at historic Delaware church, a summer festival carries on

A fire in May ripped through Mother African Union Church’s hallowed walls and may have structurally destroyed much of the building, but it did not destroy the drive to continue a historic religious and cultural summer festival. Natasha Brown reports.

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Delaware

From blueprint to breakthrough: Tackling affordable housing in Wilmington

Published

1 day ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

From blueprint to breakthrough: Tackling affordable housing in Wilmington

Pennrose and JPMorganChase help neighborhoods – and residents – thrive.

Finding an affordable place to live continues to be a challenge for many as widespread housing shortages persist across the U.S. Rising home prices and high interest rates have made homeownership inaccessible for a large portion of the population. Meanwhile, as rental demand increases, the number of renters facing affordability challenges is also on the rise.

The State of the Nation’s Housing 2025 by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies reveals that cost burdens for renters reached another record high in 2023. Similarly, the JPMorganChase Institute reports that renter affordability is declining and forcing people to devote more of their take-home pay to housing costs. There is a growing need for affordable housing across the U.S., and that rings true here in Wilmington.

To close that gap, it’s essential that all Wilmington residents share in its growth with housing options that accommodate a range of needs and budgets. For the Pennrose real estate firm, this meant delivering a concrete solution to the local community, resulting in housing for individuals and families who otherwise might not have been able to live in the area.

Reinvesting in Wilmington’s Riverside

In Wilmington, the Riverside redevelopment initiative is focused on neighborhood stability at a scale that can be felt across generations – bringing housing, education and community resources together so families can remain rooted and move forward. Imani Village, developed by Pennrose in partnership with the Wilmington Housing Authority and nonprofit community organization REACH Riverside and constructed with support from JPMorganChase, is part of this broader effort, which is expected to create more than 600 high-quality, mixed-income homes while also enhancing and expanding EastSide Charter School and Kingswood Community Center to help establish a “cradle to college/career readiness education pipeline.”

By tying new housing to strengthened local institutions, the redevelopment aims to reduce the pressure that forces families to relocate and instead keep children closer to school, neighbors closer to one another and residents connected to the services that help them thrive. In practical terms, Imani Village represents not just additional homes, but a commitment to building a neighborhood where opportunity is easier to access and easier to keep.

“We’re proud of the far-reaching impact this project will have. It reflects Pennrose’s mission to uplift our communities and expand the supply of high-quality, affordable homes,” said Brett Macleod, Community Development Banking, J.P. Morgan. “Every additional housing unit matters – and increasing the number that are affordable is critical.”

A broader commitment to Wilmington’s future

While Imani Village is foundational, the vibrancy of a community depends on much more. In Delaware, the firm provides banking services to 215,000 customers and works across sectors to expand economic opportunity. Over the last five years, JPMorganChase has invested more than $25 million in local nonprofit organizations, supported 25,000 small business clients and delivered financial health education to thousands of residents to broaden access to banking, financial health resources, homeownership and other wealth-building tools.

“As we work with local stakeholders to expand housing options, JPMorganChase’s goal is to create inclusive economic opportunity for all,” said Don Mell, Location Management, Americas East Region Lead and member of the Delaware & Philadelphia Market Leadership Team at JPMorganChase. “When our communities thrive, we all thrive.”

Learn more about affordable housing and community development at jpmorgan.com/commercial-real-estate.