Daedalus drops Wilmington Airport lease proposal after outcry over ICE connections

The Delaware River and Bay Authority said it was legally required to approve the lease, but Delaware and New Jersey governors were pressured to reject it.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Daedalus Aviation, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contractor, is dropping its pursuit to lease hangar space at the Wilmington Airport, the Delaware River and Bay Authority announced. The proposal drew widespread attention after activists spotted it on the DRBA's December meeting agenda, sparking controversy over Daedalus' connections to ICE deportations.

Why it matters

The idea of Daedalus, a company that profits from ICE deportations, doing business with Delaware or New Jersey sparked outrage among activists and lawmakers who have condemned recent federal immigration enforcement actions, including two fatal shootings by ICE officers.

The details

Daedalus earned $140 million last year selling planes to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to conduct ICE deportations. Top company officials also control a separate company with a nearly $1 billion contract to support 'self deportations.' The DRBA, which owns and operates several transportation hubs across New Jersey and Delaware, was set to consider Daedalus' proposed lease application at its board meeting next week.

  • Daedalus' proposed lease application was spotted on the DRBA's December meeting agenda.
  • The DRBA board was set to consider the proposed lease application at its meeting next week.

The players

Daedalus Aviation

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contractor that earned $140 million last year selling planes to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to conduct ICE deportations.

Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA)

A bi-state Delaware and New Jersey government authority that owns and operates several transportation hubs across the two states.

Matt Meyer

The governor of Delaware, who has veto power over DRBA board decisions.

Mikie Sherrill

The governor of New Jersey, who has veto power over DRBA board decisions.

Gayle Gibson

A member of the Delaware Stop Avelo Coalition, an activist group that opposed the proposed Daedalus lease.

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What they’re saying

“I think it was due to a lot of people that pushed back on Delaware River Bay Authority and other of our elected officials around the potential to have that kind of operation here. Just looking at what the company is involved with the Department of Homeland Security was not the type of operation we wanted.”

— Gayle Gibson, Delaware Stop Avelo Coalition member (whyy.org)

“If the governors will permit Daedalus to operate here despite this, they need to explain to the public why this doesn't conflict with the other values they profess to hold. This is not a neutral decision.”

— Rebekah Rodriguez, with the Delaware Stop Avelo Coalition (whyy.org)

“The governor 'had serious concerns about this proposal and is pleased to learn that Daedalus is no longer pursuing this lease.'”

— Maggie Garbarino, Sherrill spokesperson (whyy.org)

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing opposition to companies profiting from controversial federal immigration enforcement actions, even when those companies seek to expand their operations in local communities. The swift public backlash and pressure on state governors to reject the Daedalus lease proposal demonstrates the power of grassroots activism in holding businesses accountable for their ethical practices.