Ernst: Sarah Root’s Killer Now in U.S. Custody
Illegal immigrant responsible for the murder of a young Iowan was extradited to Omaha today.
OMAHA, Neb. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today attended the extradition arrival of Edwin Mejia, an illegal immigrant who took the life of Iowan Sarah Root in 2016, as he arrived in the United States, where he will now face justice.
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 for closure on behalf of the Root family and the safety of Iowans.
Download photos here and b-roll here.
For nine years 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 madethis legislation the law of the land.
During Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem’s confirmation process, Senator Ernst advocated to ensure Sarah and the Roots’ story was not forgotten and has continued to work on this issue with Secretary Noem and the Trump administration.
Senator Ernst’s remarks on today’s event:
“I just left the Omaha airport – where Edwin Mejia was just taken into U.S. custody – and he will now face justice for taking the life of a young Iowan over nine years ago.
“Too many of you know his name – because too many of you know Sarah Root’s story.
“She was an innocent young Iowan whose life was taken far too soon at the hands of an illegal immigrant who slipped away due to a loophole in the law.
“For years, we have been telling her story alongside her parents– Michelle Root and Scott Root – so this illegal immigrant would be brought to justice and her family could finally have some closure.
“Thankfully, the Trump administration never, ever forgot Sarah Root’s story.
“Together, we fought for justice to hold the illegal immigrant who took her life accountable.
“Thank you to President Trump, Vice President Vance, Secretary Noem, Secretary Rubio, and the men and women across our agencies who helped make today a reality.
“Now Mejia will face the consequences of his actions. And my Sarah’s Law will ensure that he – nor anyone else who breaks our laws – can escape justice again.
“This has been a long-fought battle, and it has spanned nearly a decade.
“We needed a White House that would take action on behalf of American lives – The Biden admin removed Mejia from ICE’s Most Wanted list.
“And the Obama admin memo was the cited reason ICE declined to take custody of Mejia, despite his repeated driving offenses and history of skipping court dates.
“This administration continues to show they take Americans’ safety seriously and are not allowing the senseless death of a young Iowan to go unanswered.
“While it is too late for Sarah, the Roots can rest knowing that Sarah’s killer will be held accountable and this administration is taking action to prevent this from happening to someone else’s daughter.”
###