Dear Friend, 

 Welcome back to the McBride Memo, my weekly dispatch to Delaware! I hope that you and your family stayed safe in the icy conditions of the last week—and maybe even enjoyed some fun in the snow! Here are five big things from this week: 

1. One big thing: Over the last few weeks, I have been clear that accountability for ICE and CPB’s actions must start with the removal of Secretary Kristi Noem—either through her own resignation or through impeachment proceedings. 

No matter where I am in Delaware—Sussex, Kent, or New Castle—I hear the same thing from neighbors across the political spectrum: people are outraged by what they’re seeing unfold in our communities. The erosion of due process for immigrant families. Masked federal agents operating with impunity. And now, the killing of Americans in broad daylight, followed by lies from the very leaders charged with keeping the public safe.

Under Secretary Kristi Noem’s leadership, the Department of Homeland Security—and agencies like ICE and Customs and Border Protection—have spun completely out of control. That is why I voted against the DHS funding bill last week. It’s also why I was one of the first House Democrats to support impeachment proceedings against Secretary Noem, and why I was an original co-sponsor of articles of impeachment.

Since then, more than two-thirds of House Democrats—and now House Democratic leadership—have joined that call. Accountability for the actions of ICE agents has to start at the top of the organization.

When leadership covers up violence, lies to the American people, and refuses to hold agents accountable, it sends a dangerous message: abuse of power will be tolerated. That is unacceptable. Secretary Noem must resign or be removed—and those responsible for violating the law must be held accountable. Anything less gives license for more harm.

This is not who we are. And it is not something I will stay silent about. You can watch me discuss the road ahead in this video. 

2. Driving the news: As Congress looks ahead to the next funding deadline, we are staring down a potential government shutdown—one many Republicans, especially in the House, are openly willing to create to shield DHS from accountability. Securing real accountability and reforms is a critical next step. And this is a critical moment to secure binding and explicit  legal safeguards that will save lives. 

No matter who you are, how you vote, or where you live—we can all agree that what we have seen in Minneapolis and around the country is unacceptable. No conversations about the future of our system can happen without accountability—and we cannot keep asking our neighbors to absorb chaos and instability so that masked agents and extremists can avoid answering for their actions. 

Delawareans deserve a government that follows the law, values human life, and acts with responsibility—not one that holds people hostage to preserve impunity.

3. ICYMI: Last week, a federal judge handed down an order to deport Victor Acurio Suárez, a Sussex County resident. Victor is a neighbor who lives with significant developmental disabilities and depends on his family for daily care. He fled Ecuador after being brutally beaten at the hands of the Los Lobos gang, where they “left him for dead” after setting his house on fire.

He has no criminal history and followed the law by applying for asylum upon arriving in the U.S. He is the exact kind of individual that our asylum system is meant to protect and forcing him back to a country where he was brutally attacked and left for dead is unconscionable. 

The Trump Administration has stripped our immigration of dignity and due process and installed moral bankruptcy in its place. Our system relies on a just foundation to function, and that is not a privilege afforded to some—it is an obligation that exists to protect us all from the treatment Mr. Acurio Suárez is facing now. 

This moment, where vulnerable neighbors are being denied due process and agents are killing citizens in our streets, is a stark warning about what happens when our systems abandon empathy altogether. 

I’ve called on immigration authorities to immediately release Mr. Acurio Suárez and grant him asylum.

4. Legislative priority: The unchecked cruelty that we have seen here in the United States does not stop at our borders. Last week marked the one year anniversary of the dismantling of USAID by the Trump Administration and Elon Musk—destroying an agency that provided lifesaving aid around the globe. 

To understand the toll and long term implications of this dismantling, I joined as an original cosponsor of the Evan Anzoo Memorial Act which would force a GAO report detailing estimated deaths caused by the destruction of USAID, the projected impact over a 5-year period, and a review of the specific deaths attributed to the dissolution of USAID. 

Congress, and Americans everywhere, deserve the truth about how our unilateral withdrawal of humanitarian assistance has impacted communities around the world. 

5. Our state of neighbors: Everywhere I went this week, Delawareans reminded me why I do this work. I had conversations about safety, opportunity, dignity, and the everyday work of keeping our communities strong. Here are a few:

I spent time with leaders and mentors from the Green Beret Project, talking about what it means to intervene early and give young people structure, consistency, and someone who won’t give up on them. Their work is a powerful reminder that public safety doesn’t start with punishment—it starts with mentorship, belonging, and opportunity.

At the Lewes Fire Department, chiefs and EMS leaders walked me through what record-high call volume looks like in real life—and what it takes to recruit and retain both career and volunteer responders in a growing community. Their message stuck with me: supporting first responders means investing not just in equipment, but in the people who answer the call every day.

In central Sussex County, I met with local police leadership to talk about officer wellbeing, recruitment and retention, and the importance of building trust as Sussex County continues to grow. Safe communities depend on professionalism, accountability, and strong relationships—and Delawareans expect all three.

In Frederica, I toured the new paramedic station, a major investment that will improve emergency response times across southern Kent County. As development continues, infrastructure like this saves lives—and it’s exactly the kind of forward-looking planning our communities deserve.

I also joined business and civic leaders at a Kent Economic Partnership event, where we talked about workforce development, small business growth, and how to better align federal investment with the needs of central Delaware. Economic growth works best when it’s rooted locally and designed to create good-paying jobs people can actually access.

In Georgetown, I visited Pathways to Success, where students, staff, and volunteers shared how consistent mentorship and academic support can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Their work—closing achievement gaps, reducing dropout rates, and helping students see a future for themselves—is a reminder that investing in people early pays dividends for decades.

I met with Delmar’s mayor and council for a practical conversation about the basics that keep a small town running: fire equipment, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure, sidewalks, and street improvements. These aren’t flashy projects—but they’re the backbone of safe, functional communities.

With advocates from the National Federation of the Blind of Delaware, I talked about what true accessibility looks like—from education and employment to technology and independent living. We discussed braille literacy, the “earnings cliff” that traps people who receive disability benefits, and why policy should reflect lived experience. Independence isn’t a privilege—it’s a civil right.

In Milford, I joined neighbors at The Crafty Reader for a community conversation about my book, Tomorrow Will Be Different. What made the night even more special was knowing the sold-out ticket proceeds supported the Food Bank of Delaware—a perfect example of how Delaware turns community into care.

Along the coast, I met with South Bethany Mayor Edie Dondero to talk about beach replenishment, flooding, and the infrastructure challenges small coastal towns face as conditions change. Protecting our shoreline isn’t just about tourism—it’s about homes, livelihoods, and preserving the character of our communities. Federal partnership matters here, and I’ll keep pushing to make sure it shows up.

Finally, I joined a “Power Hour” roundtable with the U.S. Travel Association and Delaware tourism leaders to talk about what’s driving—and threatening—our travel economy. From beach nourishment and downtown revitalization to visa delays and air travel modernization, one thing was clear: when travel works, Delaware workers and small businesses benefit.

Even in the ice and snow, I was thrilled to spend time hearing from our neighbors about the work that they are doing to support our state and one another—and the chance to ground my work in the stories and perspectives of Delawareans. 

For those of you who are still dealing with dangerous, icy conditions, please be safe this weekend. With conditions still bitterly cold, keep an eye on DEMA’s site for any safety updates for the week ahead. 

Have a great weekend, Delaware! 

Stay in touch, and I'll do the same. Sarah McBride Delaware's Congresswoman

P.S. If you are a Delawarean who is looking to stay up-to-date with any Congressional appropriations updates, please fill out this new form to get onto my distribution list. We will be reaching out to this list when we are able to share our Community Project Funding application and our request form for general programmatic and language requests.

• DEADLINE EXTENDED: Share Your WRDA Priorities! The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorizes critical projects like flood protection, port improvements, shoreline restoration, and other water infrastructure our communities rely on. As Congress prepares for the next WRDA reauthorization, if you have priorities to share, please submit them here. Proposals must be submitted by February 3 at 5:59 pm.
  
• A simple step that can save lives. Smart911 is a free, secure service that lets you create a safety profile with critical information—like medical conditions, medications, disabilities, and emergency contacts—that 911 operators can see when you call for help. That means first responders have the information they need before they arrive, helping them act faster and smarter. Learn more and sign up at www.smart911.com! 
  
• Congressional Art Competition: Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District. The deadline to submit your artwork is April 1, 2026. If you know a student interested in applying – please visit: mcbride.house.gov/services/art-competition
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