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Pearl River, NY – 1/29/2026…  Today, following a report from the New York Post, the Lawler for Congress campaign slammed Beth Davidson and Democrats in the Rockland County Legislature for planning to advance the “Immigrant Protection Act”, which aims to turn Rockland County into a sanctuary county for illegal immigrants, putting her congressional ambitions and radical ideology ahead of public safety.

“Make no mistake, Beth Davidson’s public push to have Rockland County adopt the same radical ‘Sanctuary’ policies for illegal immigrants as New York City or Minneapolis can be summed up in one sentence: Beth Davidson is willing to sacrifice the safety of Rockland County residents for the support of far-left radical Democrats she believes can help her win her congressional primary,” stated Congressman Lawler.

County records reveal Davidson’s proposed “Immigrant Protection Act” will closely mirror the sanctuary law passed in other deep blue states, counties, and cities, which prohibits communication and cooperation between federal immigration officials and local law enforcement, and prevents local agencies from honoring detainer requests — even for individuals with serious criminal records — unless narrowly defined conditions are met.

If adopted in Rockland, the bill would:

• Bar county employees and law enforcement from proactively cooperating with ICE, even when dealing with individuals who have prior criminal histories
• Prohibit honoring immigration detainers or providing release notifications, allowing individuals wanted by federal authorities to be released back into the community
• Create additional legal and bureaucratic hurdles that discourage coordination between local law enforcement and federal agencies
• Prioritize immigration status protections over public safety considerations, tying the hands of police officers and corrections officials

“In just the past few years, the Hudson Valley has seen firsthand the consequences of sanctuary city and state policies.  Last year, a 15-year-old from Somers was gunned down by an illegal immigrant. The year before, Clarkstown had uncovered flop houses with 20-30 migrants crammed in with dozens of fire safety violations,” said Congressman Mike Lawler.

Earlier this week, Congressman Mike Lawler laid out a clear warning in a New York Times op-ed: America’s immigration system is broken, and sanctuary policies at the state and local level have only made it worse. Lawler argued that restricting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities undermines public safety, is fueling the chaos, and leaves both communities and migrants vulnerable. He renewed his push for a commonsense, bipartisan immigration solution — one that secures the border, restores law enforcement cooperation, and treats people humanely while upholding the rule of law.

“I’ve been working in Congress, since I was first elected, on serious, bipartisan immigration reform that includes securing the border, restoring cooperation between federal and local law enforcement, and fixing a broken system humanely and responsibly,” Lawler continued. “Sanctuary laws do the opposite. They block cooperation, incentivize exploitation, and risk putting millions in federal public safety and law enforcement funding in jeopardy. Rockland families deserve leaders who prioritize public safety, the rule of law, and accountability. I am calling on every Rockland County legislator to immediately state where they stand on this legislation.”
 

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New York Times | Opinion
By Mike Lawler

The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis this month were tragic and preventable. No matter where you stand on immigration enforcement, the shootings show that what the country has been doing is not working.

The loudest voices on each extreme have retreated to their usual corners. They have an interest in keeping our immigration problems unsolved and politically divisive. Everyone else must see that Congress and the president need to embrace a new comprehensive national immigration policy that acknowledges Americans’ many legitimate concerns about how the government has conducted immigration policy.

That starts with reviewing how we got here. During President Joe Biden’s term, lenient border policies and foolish state and local laws offering shelter and benefits to illegal immigrants resulted in millions of migrants entering the United States, overwhelming our cities, our legal and public education systems, and our social safety net.

Americans demanded action, electing Donald Trump in 2024. Now, just months from the November midterm elections, polls suggest that Americans are increasingly concerned about the Department of Homeland Security’s enforcement operations, including in Minneapolis. Americans do not want chaos. They want a common-sense bipartisan solution.

During the Biden and Trump administrations I have helped write bills with anyone from any party who would collaborate with me on finding that solution. A workable plan requires a secure border. Thankfully, the Trump administration has effectively stopped illegal border crossings and deported, by its own count, over 675,000 illegal immigrants. Any balanced immigration policy would preserve and expand on this progress — but humanely.

Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection are conducting forceful operations in American communities. They should reassess their current tactics.

Irresponsible politicians have increased the danger by delegitimizing ICE — with some calling to abolish it — and standing behind sanctuary city policies that restrict necessary cooperation between immigration enforcement officers and state and local police. Local police departments are better suited to interact with the public. Collaboration among federal, state and local law enforcement officials might have prevented some of the chaos in Minneapolis.

Collaboration should start now. The F.B.I. and state and local departments should together investigate the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. A transparent and accountable process that protects the rights of everyone involved, including the deceased and their families, would ensure all relevant evidence is collected and bolster the public’s confidence in immigration enforcement and our justice system.

Congressional scrutiny would help, too. Lawmakers should immediately convene hearings with the leadership of Homeland Security, ICE, the Border Patrol and Citizenship and Immigration Services — not to provide a platform for partisan grandstanding, but to promote an honest national conversation about immigration enforcement.

After tensions have calmed, Congress can then piece together the rest of an immigration plan that settles the issue. Along with building on Mr. Trump’s border policies, a realistic plan would provide a path to legal status — not citizenship — for long-term illegal immigrants without criminal records. This path would be rigorous and fair, and it would aim to keep families together. Fair means those who benefit would face mandatory work requirements, forgo public assistance and pay fines and any back taxes they might owe.

Congress would have to change the legal immigration system, too. Lawmakers should create a system in which applicants’ merit matters more than it does now, better accounting for the country’s economic needs. I am the husband of a naturalized citizen. My wife came to the United States in pursuit of a better life. I will always fight to provide opportunity to others who have the potential and desire to contribute to America’s success.

We must be a nation of laws but also one that offers dignity and compassion to those seeking to pursue their American dream. The events of the past several years show that there will be no Democratic or Republican solution on immigration, only an American one.

After 40 years of failure — and, now, two more deaths that did not need to occur — my colleagues and I should feel only more profoundly the responsibility to rebuild trust and act in America’s common interest.

Mike Lawler, a Republican, represents New York’s 17th District in the House of Representatives.

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Pearl River, NY – 1/22/2026… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler called on each and every NY-17 Democratic candidate to immediately and unequivocally denounce radical calls from NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, made yesterday on “The View,” to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and block cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. At a Clarkstown Democratic Committee candidate forum, Cait Conley suggested “ICE can’t operate without a budget”, and Mike Sacks called to defund ICE, echoing Mamdani’s statement. As of January 2026, according to the White House, nearly 1.9 million illegal aliens have self-deported, and over 675,000 have been removed, over 70% having a conviction or pending criminal charges.

“Let me be very clear,” said Congressman Lawler. “Sanctuary state and city policies that prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security are wrong, and they are dangerous. Anyone who supports codifying Sanctuary policies and defunding ICE is detached from reality.”

“This is not an abstract policy debate. Ending cooperation with ICE makes our communities more dangerous by allowing repeat offenders, gang members, and violent criminals to slip through the cracks. My Democratic opponents owe voters a clear answer: do they support Mayor Mamdani’s support of abolishing ICE and promoting sanctuary policies that let violent criminals and gang members run freely around New York?” added Lawler. “Yes or no?”

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Pearl River, NY – 1/20/2026… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler released a statement unapologetically condemning a television ad airing in NY-17 by the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) and calls on all candidates in NY-17 to immediately denounce this ad.

“This ad is a disgrace,” Congressman Lawler said. “The IMEU attacks anyone who stands with Israel, opposes terrorism, refuses to bow to their radical agenda, and traffics antisemitic tropes.”

“This kind of politics has no place in the Hudson Valley. I am calling on every candidate running in NY-17 to publicly and unequivocally denounce this ad immediately. Silence is an endorsement,” concluded Lawler.

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Pearl River, NY – January 14, 2026 … The Lawler for Congress campaign today announced a dominant and historic fourth-quarter fundraising performance, cementing Congressman Mike Lawler as the clear frontrunner in New York’s 17th Congressional District and putting Democrats on notice early.

The campaign will file $1.25 million raised in Q4 2025, an extraordinary off-election-year total that more than doubles the fundraising of one of the leading Democratic candidates in the race. At a point in the cycle when most challengers are still introducing themselves, the Lawler campaign has already built a decisive financial edge. Cycle-to-date, the campaign has raised nearly $5.2 million and enters 2026 with a commanding $3.5 million cash on hand, giving Congressman Lawler unmatched resources to communicate his record and define the race on his terms.

The numbers represent not only dominance over the current field but also a historic acceleration compared to the campaign’s prior cycle. At the same point in 2024, the campaign had raised $3.2 million, with $2.5 million in cash on hand—making the current haul a clear signal of growing momentum and expanding support. That strength is powered by a broad, energized, grassroots coalition of 20,311 individual donors this cycle, underscoring deep enthusiasm across the district and strong bipartisan confidence in Congressman Lawler’s leadership.

“These numbers send a blunt message: Congressman Lawler is winning—and building a campaign that Democrats cannot catch,” said Ciro Riccardi, Campaign Manager for Lawler for Congress. “In an off-election year, we are shattering records, expanding our grassroots base, and stockpiling the resources needed to win decisively in 2026. This level of early support is historic for NY-17 and reflects the results-driven, bipartisan coalition Congressman Lawler continues to grow.”
 

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New City, NY – 12/8/25… Today, the Lawler for Congress campaign responded to Democratic congressional candidate Beth Davidson’s Italian cooking segment, the most catastrophic use of an Instant Pot since the dawn of electricity.

During the segment, Davidson prepared the dish in an Instant Pot rather than using traditional stovetop methods and failed to brown the meatballs in the pan before adding them to the sauce, a foundational step that infuses the dish with the flavor developed from the fond. Viewers were left wondering whether she had ever visited New York, met an Italian American, or eaten Italian food.

“Beth Davidson is running a cookie-cutter, press-and-pray campaign that’s losing steam by the day. When she skipped browning the meatballs, it reminded a lot of us of how she approaches everything: no depth, no preparation, and zero understanding of the process,” stated Ciro Riccardi, campaign manager for Lawler for Congress. “Watching her cook was like watching her try to explain the federal budget: just throw it all in a pot and hope it comes out edible.”

“Beth Davidson keeps insisting she’s running a serious congressional campaign, but unfortunately, much like those meatballs, it just keeps falling apart under the slightest pressure. Even her opponents in the Democratic clown car primary — some of the most chaotic candidates we’ve seen in years — are starting to pass her in the polls. When you’re losing ground to candidates who write manifesto-length Facebook posts for fun, it might be time to rethink the strategy,” concluded Riccardi.

 

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Pearl River, NY – November 6, 2025… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler slammed New York Democrats for attending the lavish SOMOS Puerto Rico Conference while New York families face skyrocketing costs of living and a state government shutdown.

The 2025 SOMOS Conference, hosted this year at the upscale Caribe Hilton in San Juan, features days of luxury events and political panels led by top Albany Democrats, including Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. The conference schedule lists nearly a hundred sessions on extreme partisan topics like “Disentangling NY from Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Agenda” and “Colonialism, Resistance, and Solidarity: Puerto Rico & Palestine,” leaving out any mention of the affordability crisis or government waste.

“If Zohran Mamdani is truly serious about helping working families, he wouldn’t be jetting off to a luxury resort the moment he wins an election,” said Lawler. “Are Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, Hakeem Jeffries, and Kathy Hochul attending too? And if so, why? Who’s looking out for New Yorkers while they’re on the beach? Why are Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand going on vacation after voting to shut down the government 14 times?”

“Instead of voting to reopen the federal government and deliver relief to New Yorkers, they’re working on their tans. It’s a disgrace—and why New Yorkers are leaving this state in droves. I’m calling on every reporter covering SOMOS to demand answers from these Democrats. Ask them why they’re partying in Puerto Rico while New Yorkers are suffering through an affordability crisis and a government shutdown. The public deserves to know where their priorities really lie,” concluded Congressman Lawler.

Read more in Fox News here: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mamdani-slammed-jetting-luxury-resort-puerto-rico-conference-during-shutdown

 

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Pearl River, NY – October 27, 2025… The Lawler for Congress campaign slammed Democrat Effie Phillips-Staley after she authored an outrageous Lohud op-ed accusing Israel of “genocide” — parroting the same anti-Israel talking points pushed by the far-left fringe and Hamas apologists. The campaign called on all Democrats running in New York’s 17th Congressional District to tell voters where they stand.

“This is disgraceful,” said Chris Russell, spokesman for Lawler for Congress. “To accuse Israel, one of the United States’ closest allies, which is defending itself from terrorists who butchered innocent men, women, and children, of committing ‘genocide’ is vile and dangerous. She owes every Jewish family in the Hudson Valley an apology. And every Democrat running in NY-17 needs to tell voters if they agree with her.”

The Lawler campaign is demanding that the press hold each Democrat accountable—Beth Davidson, Cait Conley, Mike Sacks, John Sullivan, John Cappello, Jessica Reinmann, and Peter Chatzky—and force them to answer this question on the record.

“Peter Chatzky already said it — he thinks Israel’s committing genocide and wants an arms embargo,” Russell added. “Now the rest need to answer the same questions — clearly and publicly:

1. Do you agree with Effie Phillips-Staley and Peter Chatzky that Israel committed genocide?
2. Should Hamas disarm, yes or no?
3. Are you refusing campaign money from AIPAC, or are you just too scared to say it?

Beth Davidson and Cait Conley already proved they’re scared of their radical left base, refusing to comment to Politico when Chatzky pledged to refuse AIPAC money. The media needs to continue doing their job and keep asking these questions,” continued Russell. “Do they support Israel’s right to defend itself, or do they stand with the radicals chanting in the streets for Hamas?”

“Congressman Lawler has been unequivocal: Hamas is a terrorist organization that must be destroyed, and Israel has every right to defend itself,” Russell concluded. “The Democrats running against him are twisting themselves in knots to appease their far left base for votes — and they need to come clean and pick a side. The people of New York’s 17th District deserve to know exactly who they’re voting for.”
 

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Pearl River, NY – October 24, 2025… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler blasted Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries for endorsing self-proclaimed socialist Zohran Mamdani, calling on every Democrat running for Congress in New York’s 17th District to tell voters exactly where they stand.

“Hakeem Jeffries just endorsed Zohran Mamdani — a self-described socialist who’s spent his career attacking the NYPD, defending criminals, and demonizing Israel,” said Congressman Lawler. “Every single Democrat running for Congress in New York needs to be put on the record: do you stand with Jeffries, Hochul, and Mamdani, or with the hardworking New Yorkers who want safe streets, affordable communities, and sanity back in government? There’s no hiding on this one.”

Lawler specifically called on Beth Davidson, Cait Conley, Mike Sacks, Effie Phillips-Staley, John Sullivan, John Cappello, and Jessica Reinmann — the Democrats vying to run against him who have remained silent — to publicly declare whether they support Mamdani’s mayoral campaign and whether they would vote to make Hakeem Jeffries Speaker of the House if elected.

“So far, only Peter Chatzky has been honest enough to admit he supports Mamdani,” Lawler added. “The rest are ducking and dodging while their party lurches further left. The press needs to do its job and ask each of them — yes or no — whether they endorse Zohran Mamdani for mayor and whether they would vote for Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker. The people of the Hudson Valley deserve a straight answer.”

“Voters are tired of politicians who talk moderation but bow to the radicals in their party when it counts. New Yorkers want leaders who back the police, stand with Israel, and fight for safe, affordable communities — not those who enable chaos and socialism,” concluded Lawler. 

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Pearl River, NY – October 8, 2025… Today, the Lawler for Congress campaign announced their strongest off-year Q3 haul, raising approximately $1.1 million and ending the quarter with $2.8 million in cash on hand. Powered by nearly 10,000 donations, the campaign continues to build the broad, bipartisan coalition needed to win and deliver for the Hudson Valley. Year-to-date, the campaign has raised over $3.9 million, shattering records set last cycle. 

“The results are crystal clear: our message is winning and our ground game is unmatched,” said Chris Russell, spokesman for Lawler for Congress. “Meanwhile, the Democrats vying to run against us keep sprinting left. Just look at Peter Chatzky, a candidate defined by radical anti-Israel positions and his endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, totally out of touch with Hudson Valley families who want common-sense leadership that delivers tangible results, not performative extremism. 

“While our opponents trip over themselves to appease a far-left base, Mike Lawler is building a coalition of working families, labor, law enforcement, Republicans, independents, and mainstream Democrats who are fed up with chaos politics and radical extremists. Congressman Lawler delivered on SALT, secured historic tax relief for middle and working class families, and will keep focusing on common-sense solutions that make life more affordable and Hudson Valley communities safer,” concluded Russell.

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