During a recent town hall event on CNN, Rep. Jahana Hayes from Connecticut addressed concerns about the significant number of migrants who have entered the United States during President Biden’s time in office. She emphasized that these immigrants followed the laws as they are currently written.
Rep. Mike Lawler from New York pointed out that over 10.5 million migrants came to the U.S. under the Biden administration. He mentioned a notable drop in border crossings, from 189,000 in February 2024 to just over 8,000 in February 2025, attributing this to the catch-and-release policy.
In her response, Hayes insisted on the need for comprehensive immigration reform. She highlighted the importance of supporting farmers, families, and DREAMers, stating that most immigrants do not come to the U.S. as criminals. She criticized the current administration for not correcting mistakes identified by the courts, suggesting that their approach has been more punitive than focused on security.
Hayes also made it clear that while she supports deporting individuals who have committed crimes, the current discussion should not be solely about those cases. She stressed that Democrats are also in favor of border security and believe it can coexist with immigration reform.
The town hall highlighted the ongoing debate about immigration policy in the U.S., reflecting differing views on how to handle the influx of migrants and the need for reform.