Overview
Title
To require the Secretary of State to submit an annual report to Congress regarding the ties between criminal gangs and political and economic elites in Haiti and impose sanctions on political and economic elites involved in such criminal activities.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants the U.S. Secretary of State to tell Congress each year about any bad guys teaming up with important leaders in Haiti to cause trouble, and it says the President must punish those leaders by not letting them visit or do business with the U.S. unless there's a good reason not to.
Summary AI
H. R. 2643, known as the “Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act of 2025,” requires the U.S. Secretary of State to deliver an annual report to Congress about the connections between criminal gangs and political and economic leaders in Haiti. The bill mandates identifying these connections, detailing how they might advance their own interests, and considers the threats posed to Haiti and U.S. national interests. Furthermore, the President is required to impose sanctions on foreign individuals tied to such activities, such as blocking property transactions and denying visas to these individuals. Exceptions to sanctions include actions necessary for compliance with international obligations and humanitarian assistance.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The legislation in question is the "Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act of 2025." Its primary mandate is instructing the Secretary of State to provide an annual report to Congress detailing the connections between criminal gangs and powerful political and economic figures in Haiti. This investigation aims to identify influential gang leaders, evaluate their criminal operations, and elucidate their interactions with prominent Haitian officials and business elites. The Act also includes the imposition of sanctions on identified individuals, such as blocking property transactions and revoking visas, with a few exceptions for humanitarian purposes and international obligations.
Summary of Significant Issues
One notable concern is the potential vagueness around definitions and specifications. The term "economic elites" could be seen as vague since its criteria for “substantial influence or control” lack clarity, leading to inconsistent applications. Further ambiguity arises in the President's ability to waive sanctions as stipulated under "national interests" because the lack of established parameters offers room for subjective interpretation and potential misuse.
Additionally, the dual enumeration of key terms in Section 4 could cause confusion, detracting from the bill's clarity. In Section 3, the standard of evidence needed for immigration decisions is insufficiently defined, potentially leading to arbitrary decisions. Moreover, Section 5's sunset clause does not clarify which specific authorities will expire in five years, nor does it include mechanisms for review or extension, leaving potential gaps in legislative oversight.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Broadly, the bill aims to tackle international crime and maintain order by curbing the influence of criminal gangs intertwined with Haiti's political and economic structures. This approach should ideally enhance regional stability, which indirectly supports U.S. national interests by fostering a more secure environment in Haiti, reducing illegal trafficking, and aligning with humanitarian support initiatives.
For the general public, especially those in or connected to the Caribbean, the bill's implementation could mean a reduced threat from organized crime and safer migration pathways. However, the financial implications of the reporting requirements could lead to concerns about resource allocation without a clearly defined budget.
Specific stakeholders include U.S. and Haitian political, economic elites, and international organizations engaged in or benefiting from the current status quo. These groups might face increased scrutiny, and beneficial ties with criminal networks could be severed. The bill's exceptions for humanitarian assistance should mitigate any negative impacts on aid organizations, ensuring these entities can continue their efforts without undue interference.
In conclusion, the bill brings both opportunities and challenges by seeking to stymie illegal activities and promoting transparency while grappling with definitional inconsistencies and implementation challenges. Careful oversight and clear guidelines are essential to maximize its intended benefits while minimizing any unintended consequences.
Issues
The section defining 'economic elites' (Section 4) may be considered vague and subjective as it lacks clear criteria for 'substantial influence or control,' potentially leading to inconsistent applications of the law.
The President's waiver ability in Section 3(e) allows sanctions to be lifted for national interests, but without clear parameters or examples of what constitutes national interest, it might lead to perceived misuse or preferential treatment.
The dual enumeration of 'APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES' and 'FOREIGN PERSON' as (1) in Section 4 could lead to confusion, undermining the clarity of the legislative document.
Section 3(b)(2) regarding 'Visas, Admission, Or Parole' requires clarification for what constitutes 'reason to believe,' which may lead to potential subjective interpretations affecting immigration decisions.
The sunset clause in Section 5 is unclear on which specific authorities will cease after five years, creating uncertainty around the continuation of powers or obligations provided by the bill.
The exception clauses in Section 3(c), particularly those related to humanitarian assistance, could benefit from clearer guidelines to ensure uniform interpretation when determining what qualifies as humanitarian aid.
The reporting requirements in Section 2 demand resources for implementation without an allocated budget, raising concerns about potential unaddressed financial burdens or inefficient use of government resources.
The bill does not specify review mechanisms or extensions for the authorities whose effect will cease after five years (Section 5). This lack of planning could result in lapses in policy enforcement or necessary legislative adjustments.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act of 2025 is the name given to this piece of legislation.
2. Reporting requirements Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill requires the Secretary of State to send a report to Congress within 180 days of the bill’s enactment, detailing connections between criminal gangs and powerful individuals in Haiti. The report will identify gang leaders, their activities, and their political and economic connections, as well as assess how these relationships impact the Haitian people and U.S. interests. It must be unclassified but can include a classified section.
3. Sanctions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines how the President must impose specific sanctions on foreigners identified in certain reports, including blocking property and canceling visas if these individuals are deemed inadmissible to the U.S. However, there are exceptions for complying with international agreements and providing humanitarian aid to Haiti. Additionally, the President can waive these sanctions if it benefits U.S. national interests.
4. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section defines several important terms used in the Act, such as "appropriate congressional committees" which refers to specific committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate, "foreign person" which is anyone not considered a United States person, "United States person" which includes U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain entities, "economic elites" as influential members in the economy of Haiti, and "political elites" as high-ranking political figures and party leaders.
5. Sunset Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The powers granted by this Act will expire 5 years after the Act is officially passed.