Delaware Governor Weighed Office of New Americans Bill
Governor Matt Meyer is considering legislation to codify the state office that assists immigrant populations.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Immigration
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Governor Matt Meyer is currently reviewing a bill passed by the General Assembly that would formally codify the Office of New Americans. The office currently exists under an executive order within the Department of State.
Why it matters
The legislation aims to stabilize the office, though the governor has signaled that the current structure requires additional staff and resource support. His decision will determine whether the office continues under its current operational framework or undergoes future expansion.
The Office of New Americans currently operates with a staff of two employees within the Department of State. The legislation sits on the governor's desk following passage by the General Assembly during the current session.
The players
Matt Meyer
Matt Meyer is the Governor of Delaware who is responsible for deciding whether to sign the legislation into law.
General Assembly
The General Assembly is the legislative branch of the Delaware state government that passed the bill to codify the office.
Department of State
The Department of State is the Delaware cabinet-level agency that currently houses the Office of New Americans.
The details
Established by executive order in 2025, the office facilitates citizenship assistance and connects immigrants to essential services and employment opportunities. Officials indicated that the governor may opt to revisit the legislation next year to address lingering budgetary requirements.
Timeline
The Office of New Americans was established via executive order in 2025.
The General Assembly passed the codification legislation in 2026.
Political Context
The proposed legislation seeks to transition the Office of New Americans from an entity based on the Delaware executive order of 2025 into a permanent, statutorily mandated department. This shift highlights a broader debate regarding the formalization versus the executive flexibility of state-level integration programs.
The status of this bill directly impacts the availability and consistency of services for immigrant residents, including citizenship support and employment connections. Should the legislation be delayed, those relying on these state resources may see no immediate changes to current service levels.
The takeaway
The move to codify this office reflects the state's focus on formalizing its support structures for new residents. Residents should monitor future budget cycles to see if additional funding for these services is ultimately secured.
What happens next
The governor may choose to reintroduce the legislation during the next legislative session after further evaluating the budgetary needs of the department.
Further reading
For more information on state policies, visit the Delaware Immigration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Delaware Public Media.
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Should your state government formally codify departments that provide services to immigrant communities?
