Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) says he regrets voting for the Laken Riley Act as President Donald Trump claims he is terrorizing the immigrant community.
Hayes He told CNN on Thursday She voted for the law — named after a nursing student killed by a Venezuelan who was released to the state during the Biden-Harris administration — because she imposed severe punishments on those who murdered or injured police officers.
That said, Hayes says she voted differently now because the Trump administration is mean to immigrants.
“I believe that when you commit a crime, you should be deported.”
“I understand that immigrants in this country who are legally here and following the law are currently in fear because they don't know what will happen next,” Hayes said.
“What I regret is votes, but coming to this Congress, I trusted this administration… They wanted to have border security. They wanted to work with Democrats who could actually move forward,” she continued. “I'm not really sure of that because I saw the rhetoric and the attacks that were targeted by immigration that came out. So when I negotiate the votes to move forward, I'm very careful and careful.”
The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain certain aliens who have been arrested for robbery, theft, burglary, or shoplifting. The convicted murderer of Riley was initially arrested for a crime in New York City, but was later released before moving to Georgia.
The Laken Riley Act passed the House with 217 Republicans, with 46 Democrats voting and 156 Democrats voting.
hill It has been reported Hayes represents the highly competitive residential area that GOP is looking to target in the mid-2026.
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