Ernst Remembers Root Family as Sarah Root’s Killer is Now in U.S. Custody

RED OAK, Iowa – After nine years working on behalf of Iowan Sarah Root, Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) was able to bring closure for the Root family when their daughter’s killer, an illegal immigrant who ICE failed to detain and escaped by skipping bail, was delivered into U.S. custody to face justice on Friday.

Most recently, Ernst’s position on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee gave her a platform to advocate for action on behalf of Sarah and the Roots during Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s confirmation process. Since then, she has continued working with the Trump administration, including Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to extradite Mejia, so he faces justice in the United States.

Senator Ernst has been working with Sarah’s parents, Michelle and Scott Root, since 2016.

“For nine years, I have fought for justice for Sarah Root. All this time, I have been telling Sarah’s story alongside her parents – Michelle and Scott – so this illegal immigrant could face consequences, and her family could finally have some closure,” said Senator Ernst. “I will always stand up for Iowans, and it has been an honor to work alongside the Roots. While this tragedy should never have happened in the first place, I’ve been grateful to work with the Trump administration to get this done. This work, coupled with my Sarah’s Law, will help ensure no family has to face what the Roots faced ever again.”

“For nearly a decade, my family and I never received closure about what happened that fateful night my daughter was killed by an illegal immigrant, until Senator Ernst got involved,” said Michelle Root. “Senator Ernst has been there from the beginning, and our family is very grateful for her willingness to push for Sarah's Law and the extradition of Sarah’s killer, so he faces justice. She has always done an amazing job honoring Sarah through every floor speech and each call to action. I truly appreciate the fight, passion, and the love she shows. While we can’t get our Sarah back, we can make sure another family doesn’t have to endure the heartbreak we have experienced. It’s unconscionable it took over nine years after our beautiful Sarah was taken from us to get this done, but Senator Ernst never flinched and consistently fought to make this a reality.”

“Senator Ernst and President Trump have been working on this since the very beginning in 2016, and it means so much to me that, thanks in part to their work, Sarah’s life has not been forgotten. I would also like to thank Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the U.S. Marshals Service, officials in Honduras, and all the unseen people who have been instrumental in making this happen,” said Scott Root. “While nothing can bring my daughter back, ensuring her killer faces justice combined with the passage of Sarah’s Law, my hope is that no family has to endure what mine did ever again.”

Background:

On January 31, 2016, Mejia was driving drunk when he struck and killed 21-year-old Sarah Root on the night of her college graduation. Before her family could even lay her to rest, a loophole in the law allowed her killer to be released and escape the consequences of his crimes. Since then, Ernst has fought on behalf of the Root family and the safety of Iowans.

Since the tragedy, Senator Ernst worked tirelessly to pass Sarah’s Law to bring closure to the Root family and ensure this never happens again. This year, she shepherded the legislation through the Senate and the House, and President Trump made this legislation the law of the land.

Earlier this month, Senator Ernst hosted Scott Root, Sarah’s father, as her guest for President Trump’s joint address and praised this administration for taking action on behalf of Iowans and prioritizing them over illegal immigrants.

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