Ernst on Justice for Sarah Root
WASHINGTON – One week ago today – after nearly a decade of work by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) to bring closure for the Root family – Sarah Root’s killer, an illegal immigrant who escaped due to a loophole in the law, was delivered into U.S. custody to face justice.
Since Sarah Root was killed in 2016, Ernst has been advocating to bring her killer to justice alongside Sarah’s parents, Michelle and Scott Root. This year, President Trump made Ernst’s Sarah’s Law the law of the land to help ensure this never happens to another family.
Watch Senator Ernst and Michelle Root’s full interview with KCCI here.
“‘I was in disbelief. I had come to the fact that I would probably not see justice in my lifetime for my daughter’... [Michelle] Root credits Iowa Senator Joni Ernst. ‘Senator Ernst has become like family to us.’ Earlier this year, Congress passed the Laken Riley Act, which includes Sarah's Law. Ernst says it requires authorities to detain any undocumented immigrant who commits a crime resulting in death or serious injury. With Sarah’s Law in place and Mejia awaiting trial. Root says she's closer to finding closure. ‘Those two things were what we had been fighting for the last nine years. We will never get closure until we meet Sarah again, of course, but it closes that chapter.’”
KCSI | Ernst Remembers Root Family as Sarah Root’s Killer is Now in U.S. Custody
“I know there are a ton of people to thank about this, but I need to because we're with Senator Ernst and as you said, she has brought from the beginning to get Sarah's Law passed. I could not have asked for a better person by our side fighting with us and for us… Even when I wanted to quit, she kept going.”
Watch Senator Ernst’s full interview here.
“This has been nine years in the making. It was nine years ago, at the end of January, on her college graduation day, that young Sarah Root was killed by an illegal immigrant… Thanks to the Trump administration, thank you to Secretary Noem and Secretary Rubio. We were able to locate this illegal migrant who had killed Sarah Root, and they were able to bring him back to face justice. So it means a lot to me, but especially means a lot to her parents, Michelle Root and Scott Root of Council Bluffs, Iowa.”
Watch Senator Ernst’s full Newsmax interview here.
“President Donald Trump wanted to do something about it. He never forgot about Sarah Root. And finally, now this man is going through the U.S. judicial system, and he will be held to account for the killing of sweet Sarah Root, who was only 21 years old when she was killed nine years ago.”
Print Coverage of Ernst’s Advocacy:
Council Bluffs Nonpareil | Sarah Root's alleged killer extradited from Honduras to Omaha
“In a Friday evening press call, Sen. Joni Ernst announced she had just left Eppley Airfield in Omaha, where Eswin Mejia was taken into U.S. custody. He is being held in the Douglas County Jail in Nebraska as he awaits trial in Root’s death.”
“Ernst called the case a long-fought battle that has spanned nearly a decade, praising the Trump administration for acting to ‘prevent this from happening to someone else’s daughter’ while rebuking the Biden administration for removing Mejia from ICE’s Most Wanted list.”
KWQC | Alleged killer of Iowan Sarah Root extradited from Honduras
“Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst from Iowa, who worked for nine years to pass Sarah’s Law, praised President Donald Trump for extraditing Mejia.”
Omaha World Herald | Honduran man accused in fatal 2016 crash extradited to Omaha, held on $100 million bail
“[Ernst is] incredibly thankful for President Trump’s strong action, his hardworking administration and steadfast partnership to right this wrong on behalf of Iowa families.”
Radio Iowa | Honduran charged with 2016 murder of Iowan extradited to Omaha
“The first bill Trump signed into law this year includes what’s called ‘Sarah’s Law.’ It requires authorities to detain any illegal immigrant who is accused of murdering or seriously injuring someone in the U.S. Ernst and other members of Iowa’s congressional delegation had sponsored the legislation for the past eight years.”
KCRG| Senator Ernst applauds Trump admin following the extradition of Sarah Root’s murderer
“Since this incident, Senator Ernst has been actively fighting for justice for the Root family. ‘For over nine years, I have called for justice on behalf of Sarah Root, and today President Trump and his administration are delivering. Sarah should still be alive today, and for too long Michelle, Scott, and the rest of her loved ones have been forced to live with the fact that her killer was running free.’”
“After years of trying to get the bill passed in both chambers of Congress, ‘Sarah's Law’ was signed by Speaker Mike Johnson and made its way to President Donald Trump’s desk. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst spearheaded the effort.”
Breitbart | Trump Administration Secures Extradition of Illegal Alien Accused of Killing 21-Year-Old Sarah Root
“Ernst has worked for years on Root’s case, including working with the Trump administration on Mejia’s extradition. In January, Trump signed Sarah’s Law, authored by Ernst, into federal law which will require illegal aliens who commit violent crimes to remain detained in police custody.”
KIOW| Ernst on the Apprehension of Eswin Mejia
“Senator Joni Ernst has continually fought for the apprehension and extradition of Mejia to the United States. She was at the airport when Mejia landed on U. S. soil and was taken into custody.”
WOWT | $100 million bond set for man charged in 2016 Omaha street racing crash that killed Sarah Root
“The fact that Mejia was able to bond out and subsequently flee the U.S. led Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) to create ‘Sarah’s Law,’ named after Root, which requires illegal immigrants who have committed violent crimes against Americans to be detained regardless of bail status.”
KFJB | ESWIN MEJIA TO STAND TRIAL NEARLY A DECADE AFTER THE KILLING OF SARAH ROOTS
“Trump met with Root’s mother and her father, Scott Root, in mid-2016 and Trump talked about their daughter’s death on the campaign trail. The first bill Trump signed into law this year includes what’s called ‘Sarah’s Law.’ It requires authorities to detain any illegal immigrant who is accused of murdering or seriously injuring someone in the U.S. Ernst and other members of Iowa’s congressional delegation had sponsored the legislation for the past eight years.”
TV Coverage of Ernst’s Advocacy:
Watch KETV’s coverage here.
“Senator Joni Ernst has been a champion for Sarah and her family, and her efforts and leadership were crucial in Mejia’s extradition.”
“The story gained national attention after Congress passed Sarah’s Law. It requires police to detain an undocumented immigrant who commits a crime resulting in death or injury.”
Watch KCCI’s coverage here.
“He is now in jail in Omaha…finally, Edwin Mejia will face long overdue consequence after breaking our laws and taking an innocent life.”
Watch KCRG’s coverage here.
“U.S. Senator Joni Ernst worked for nine years to pass Sarah’s Law. That was an amendment to the Laken Riley Act…Ernst released a statement thanking the Trump administration for the work to extradite Mejia.”
Watch KTIV’s coverage here.
“The case inspired lawmakers to craft Sarah’s Law, which was recently signed into law by President Trump as part of the Laken Riley Act. Tonight, one of the lawmakers who led that legislation, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, celebrated the news that Mejia will finally stand trial.”
Watch KWQC’s coverage here.
“Sarah’s family helped pass a law in her honor, requiring immigrants to be detained if they’re involved with the death or serious injury of another person.”
“Iowa Senator Joni Ernst has demanded justice for Root's death since she died in 2016. Today, she celebrated a milestone moment in her quest for justice, saying, ‘finally, Edwin Mejia will face the long overdue consequences after breaking our laws and taking an innocent life. I'm incredibly thankful for President Trump's strong action, his hardworking administration and steadfast partnership to right this wrong on behalf of Iowa families.’”
Watch One America News’ coverage here.
“Iowa Senator Joni Ernst became a leading voice in the fight for justice for Root as the family came from Iowa.”
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