Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) said Thursday at CNN's City Hall that she regrets voting in favour of the Laken Riley Act.
“I probably voted differently, like I've been thinking about it over the past few months. That's a vote I'll regret,” Hayes told the forum.
The lawmaker said he first voted for the law because of a provision that states “if an officer is injured or killed.” She added that the provision was “a small part of that.”
Hayes went on to say that the Trump administration believed they wanted to work with Democrats in Capitol Hill to secure a southern border. But the lawmaker said, “She's not really sure of it because she saw the rhetoric that came out and the attacks that were targeted by immigration. So, when I'm negotiating a vote to move forward, I'm very careful and careful.”
Hayes represents a relatively competitive House district targeted by House Republicans ahead of the mid-term 2026. She made comments at City Hall alongside other lawmakers in the competition district, including Rep. Derek Tran (R-Calif), Rep. Mike Lawler (RN.Y.), and Ryan McKenzie (R-Penny).
Tran also explained his decision to vote for the Rental Riley Act.
“I voted with my Republican colleagues in the Laken Riley Act because I attracted the Line when it came to crime,” Tran said.
“I believe you should be deported when you commit a crime,” he continued.
The Laken Riley Act calls for the detention of immigrants without legal status, including those permitted to seek asylum in the United States if they are accused of theft, shoplifting or robbery.
The law was named after Georgia nursing student Laken Riley. He was killed by Venezuelan immigrants who were arrested for shoplifting before the attack after he was parole to the country.
The law, along with 46 Democrats, including Hayes and Tran, gained bipartisan support from voting with Republicans in the House. In the Senate, 12 Democrats joined Republicans and passed legislation.
