Immigrant advocacy groups seek to help build bridges

Two immigrant advocacy organizations appeared before the Laurel Mayor and Council recently, saying their goal is to build stronger relationships with local government and help newcomers better navigate life in Delaware.

The representatives attended the meeting at the invitation of Mayor Carlos Oliveras, who has sought to facilitate dialogue between town leaders and organizations serving immigrant communities in Sussex County.

Brian Curcia, executive director of La Esperanza in Georgetown, told council members the nonprofit has spent decades assisting immigrants as they adjust to life in the region. “I am the executive director of La Esperanza in Georgetown, Delaware,” Curcia said. “We are a nonprofit organization that’s been around for 30 years, serving historically the Latino and immigrant community in Sussex County, but we really serve all the incoming immigrants.”

Founded in 1996, La Esperanza is a bilingual and bicultural nonprofit that provides a wide range of services for immigrant families, including immigration counseling, education programs, victim services, and assistance navigating social systems. The organization was created by community leaders and Catholic sisters to respond to the growing number of immigrants arriving in southern Delaware, particularly those seeking work in agriculture and poultry processing.

Today, the Georgetown-based organization works with immigrants from across the region, including the growing Haitian population in Sussex County. Over nearly three decades, the center has helped thousands of immigrants obtain legal services, access health care, pursue education, and establish stable lives in Delaware.

Curcia said his appearance before council was primarily about listening and building relationships. “We’re just here understanding you all, understanding what it is that this town does, and just trying to build those bridges,” he said. “If you know someone who’s a newcomer and have any questions, they can come to us and we’ll help them navigate really anything.”

Also addressing the council was Hannah Derista, co-founder of the “Haitian Coalition of Delaware.” The organization advocates for the state’s Haitian community and works to strengthen connections between immigrants and the broader public.

Derista said the coalition’s focus is fostering understanding and improving communication between immigrant residents and institutions across Delaware. “We help the Haitian people build strong relationships and connect the real-life experiences of the immigrant population,” Derista said. “We want to help people understand each other and build those relationships so we can have the kind of Delaware environment we all want.”

The Haitian Coalition of Delaware has partnered with organizations such as La Esperanza to study the challenges facing immigrant communities in Sussex County. Surveys of newcomers have identified housing, employment, education, childcare, and immigration issues as some of the most pressing concerns for immigrant families in the region.

The presentations come at a time when tensions surrounding the treatment of Haitian residents in Laurel have drawn public attention. In recent months, members of the Haitian community and their advocates raised concerns after reports that the Laurel Police Department had shared information with federal authorities about Haitian immigrants and locations where they gather in town. The issue sparked debate among residents and community leaders about policing practices, immigration enforcement, and trust between local law enforcement and immigrant communities.

Community advocates have argued that such actions can create fear among immigrant residents, discouraging them from reporting crimes or cooperating with police. Local officials and law enforcement representatives have maintained that their focus is public safety.

Against that backdrop, the council meeting, held on Feb. 17, reflected an effort to build dialogue and establish connections between town leadership and organizations serving immigrant residents.

Curcia said collaboration and communication are essential as Sussex County continues to experience demographic changes. “Our goal is simply to be a resource,” he said. “If people have questions or need help navigating systems, we’re here to help them succeed and be part of the community.”

Derista echoed that message, emphasizing that stronger relationships benefit everyone in the community. “When people understand each other and build those bridges,” she said, “we can create the environment we want for everyone who calls Delaware home.”