Rep. Hayes Regrets Laken Riley Act Support

Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT) expressed regret for her vote in support of the Laken Riley Act at a CNN town hall, citing concerns that legal immigrants are being terrorized by the Trump administration's rhetoric and actions. The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention of illegal immigrants accused of theft-related crimes and allows states to sue the federal government over immigration enforcement issues. Named after a Georgia student killed by an illegal immigrant, the act's critics argue it undermines due process by enabling indefinite detention on accusations alone. Hayes initially supported the bill for its provision to protect police officers but now feels uncertain about the administration's commitment to bipartisan cooperation on border security. Her remarks highlight the broader political tensions and the impact of immigration policies on legal immigrants. Fellow Democrat Rep. Derek Tran defended his support for the act, emphasizing crime control as his primary rationale.