Of all the things to regret voting for, deporting criminal aliens would never be on my list. That’s not the case for Democrat Rep. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut. The Laken Riley Act was massively bipartisan and is the first bill President Trump signed into law to start his second term. The bill, rightfully named after Laken Riley, who was brutally killed by a criminal alien who entered the country illegally in 2022, is a vote Rep. Hayes said this week that she regrets.
During a CNN town hall-style interview, Rep. Hayes stated: "As I’ve thought about it, over the last couple of months, I probably would have voted differently. It’s a vote that I regret. I understand how immigrants across this country, who are here legally and have followed the law, are being terrorized right now because they are unsure of what happens next. I voted for that piece of legislation because of a very specific provision, and it was if it caused injury or death to a police officer, which was one small piece of it."
Out of touch @JahanaHayesCT just said she “REGRETS” voting for the Laken Riley Act.
— NRCC (@NRCC) April 11, 2025
This BIPARTISAN law helps get criminal illegal immigrants off the streets and prevent tragedies like Laken Riley’s murder from happening again. #CT05 pic.twitter.com/zNCsy9Q5PT
The Laken Riley Act passed with significant Democratic support. If this is going to be the posture by the Democrats moving forward—announcing regret for common sense bills that protect the American people, Republicans should take advantage and put these clips in ads across the country. Deporting criminals who entered our country illegally continues to be a winning issue for the White House, not simply because it’s the right thing to do but also because no American family should go through what the Riley family has suffered.
Fox News outlined the simple parameters surrounding the bill—how does a member of Congress come to regret such a common sense vote? Maybe pressure from leftist groups or constituents, but at some point, you still have to do what’s best for the country. The bill:
Requires DHS to detain illegal criminals who are charged with a theft-related crime or assault of a law enforcement officer.
Allows state AGs to sue the federal government for injunctive relief if they believe DHS fails to enforce immigration detention or removal requirements.
Prohibits the Secretary of State from granting visas to citizens of countries that refuse to accept their nationals deported from the U.S.
Does not allow release from detention even if criminal charges are dropped.
BREAKING: Laken Riley Bill Finally Passes in Congress, Moves on for President Trump's Signature
President Biden and his administration told us over and over again that the border was secure. This, of course, was a complete lie. President Trump, through his authority as the head of the executive branch, has single-handedly closed our southern border. And as a reminder, he’s not even three full months into his second term. In February alone, illegals coming from northern triangle countries began to get the message. Bill Melugin, who may be the best reporter covering the southern border, reacted this way in February: “Again, lowest number of recorded illegal crossings I’ve ever seen. 446 across the southern border is unheard of. There were 11,000+ in one day in December 2023. Biden’s final week in office was averaging 1,200-1,400 per day. And this has all been done via executive action.”
Again, lowest number of recorded illegal crossings I’ve ever seen.
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) February 4, 2025
446 across the southern border is unheard of.
There were 11,000+ in one day in December 2023.
Biden’s final week in office was averaging 1,200-1,400 per day.
And this has all been done via executive action. https://t.co/Zvy7bztQlb
Republicans need to keep the foot on the gas surrounding this winning issue. We must keep the pressure on the Democrats, especially if they’re going to publicly announce their regret for a vote to secure the border. It’s baffling to think just how far the GOP has come when it comes to immigration policy. The historical GOP ran from this issue for decades—always giving lip service to the conservative faction of the party. We can all thank Donald Trump for changing that after he came down the escalator in 2015 and announced his presidential bid.
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