Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – 5/15/25… Last week, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) joined Congressman Rich McCormick (GA-07) and 13 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary Rubio conveying their grave concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Haiti as missionaries, humanitarian aid workers, and countless innocent civilians face deadly threats from criminal gangs that now control much of the country. 

They also called for coordination with the Haitian Transitional Presidential Council, Haitian National Police, and the United Nations Multilateral Security Support Mission to restore peace and a stable government.

Criminal gangs have overrun major urban centers, including the capital Port-au-Prince. Recent reports indicate that these gangs, such as the Viv Ansanm coalition, now control over 85% of the capital and are expanding into previously stable areas. Local healthcare workers have described the complete takeover of their campus by armed gangs who have looted homes, ransacked facilities, and stolen critical supplies including medications and medical equipment. Over one million Haitians have been displaced due to gang violence, and UN security forces have struggled to stabilize the situation. 

“The humanitarian crisis in Haiti is heartbreaking and deeply concerning. As violent gangs threaten civilians, including American missionaries and aid workers, the U.S. must act swiftly to restore order and protect lives. My district is home to the second-largest Haitian American population per capita in the country, and I know how deeply these families are feeling the pain of what’s happening,” said Congressman Mike Lawler.

“The United States has an important responsibility to act decisively to mitigate this humanitarian and security crisis in Haiti. We must enhance protective measures for our citizens and humanitarian workers while working with local authorities to restore peace and stability,” said Congressman Rich McCormick.

“Failure to address Haiti’s gang crisis risks a point of no return. I thank Representative McCormick for working with me in this bipartisan call for action. Our letter urges the administration to present a clear strategy to restore order, hold perpetrators accountable, resume aid, and return Haiti to the Haitian people,” said Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-05).

“Haiti is on the verge of collapse with violent gangs controlling the center of Port-au-Prince just blocks away from the National Palace,” said Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-28). “It is time for the United States to take a real leadership role in addressing the crisis with hard security solutions capable of stopping the gangs’ advance and restoring peace to Haiti.” 

“Haiti continues to confront a dire political, security, and humanitarian crisis that has caused unimaginable amounts of human suffering,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20). “To prevent the situation from deteriorating any further, I am joining my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in calling on the U.S. Department of State to respond immediately. A long-term solution to this crisis means that we must crack down on violent gangs and the elites who fund them, while simultaneously curtailing the flow of illicit firearms.”

“The Haitian people are enduring a vicious cycle of horrific violence at the hands of brutal gangs,” said Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25). “The U.S. must urgently support efforts to restore stability, protect women and girls from harm, and uphold human rights. I remain committed to working with bipartisan colleagues to equip Haiti's security forces to protect civilians—and to cut off the illicit flow of American weapons to the criminal organizations threatening their safety.”

“The deteriorating security situation in Haiti is more urgent now than ever. Just last year I went on two rescue missions to Haiti bringing home 23 Americans and helping relocate 59 disabled Haitian children to safety. While there, I witnessed firsthand the threats faced by Americans, locals, and humanitarian workers, as criminal gangs endanger lives and disrupt vital aid efforts. I stand with my colleagues to urge Secretary Rubio to take a leading role in restoring stability in Haiti,” said Congressman Cory Mills (FL-07).

“The heartbreaking reports out of Haiti are a call to action. Families are being driven from their homes, clinics and churches looted, and communities held hostage by violent gangs,” said Congresswomen Lois Frankel (FL-22). “With nearly half a million Haitian Americans living in Florida, many with deep ties to loved ones still on the island, the United States should act urgently to protect American citizens and humanitarian workers, and support the Haitian people in their fight to reclaim their country from lawlessness and despair.”

“The humanitarian crisis and security situation in Haiti is devastating,” said Congressman Bill Keating (MA-09). “The State Department must act to enhance protective measures and resources for Americans in Haiti while also coordinating with Haitian authorities and the UN Multinational Security Support Mission to limit the flow of illicit weapons.” 

“The crisis unfolding in Haiti is not just a matter of regional instability—it is a humanitarian catastrophe that demands urgent international response. Gangs now control over 85% of Port-au-Prince, and more than one million people have been displaced, many forced to choose between starvation and submission to armed groups. Haiti’s struggle did not begin with this wave of violence—it is rooted in a long legacy of foreign exploitation, failed interventions, and broken promises following the 2010 earthquake and the assassination of President Moïse in 2021. As a nation with deep historical ties to Haiti, the United States has a moral and strategic obligation to protect innocent lives, support democratic governance, and help dismantle the networks trafficking arms and chaos into the region,” said Congressman Jonathan Jackson (IL-01). 

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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The full letter can be found HERE.