ICYMI: Ernst-led Sarah’s Law is Law of the Land

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) Sarah’s Law was signed into law by President Donald Trump at the White House this week.

Ernst has been calling for the passage of Sarah’s Law since 2016 to honor the life of young Iowan Sarah Root, who was killed by an illegal immigrant driving drunk. Ernst’s bill was included as an amendment to the Laken Riley Act to require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain illegal immigrants who have committed violent crimes against Americans.

Ahead of the ninth anniversary of Sarah Root’s death today, Ernst spoke with her mother, Michelle Root.

Watch their full interview here.

Coverage on Ernst’s efforts to get this over the finish line include:

KJAN | Ernst’s Sarah’s Law Signed by President Trump

” U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) joined President Donald Trump Wednesday (today) at the White House for the signing of Sarah’s Law. The bill was included as an amendment to the Laken Riley Act to strengthen the legislation by requiring illegal immigrants who have committed violent crimes against Americans to be detained.”

RADIO IOWA | President Trump’s first bill signing has a tie to slain Iowan woman

“Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, worked on Sarah’s Law and was also at the signing.”

KIMT3 | President Trump signs 'Sarah's Law,' inspired by Iowan killed by illegal immigrant drunk driver

“Nine years of struggle ended in triumph Wednesday at Iowa Senator Joni Ernst joined President Donald Trump at the White House for the signing of ‘Sarah’s Law.’ The law honors Iowan Sarah Root, who was killed on January 31, 2016, the night of her college graduation, by an illegal immigrant driving drunk.  Ernst says before her family could even lay her to rest, a loophole in the law allowed her killer to be released and escape justice for his crime.”

KCRG | Sen. Ernst, father of Sarah Root join President Trump for signing of Sarah’s Law

“Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst was at the White House on Wednesday to join President Donald Trump for the signing of the Laken Riley Act. That act included Sarah’s Law as an amendment - a bill introduced by Senator Ernst following the death of Sarah Root, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 2016.”

DAILY NON PAREIL | Trump’s first new law includes language linked to Council Bluffs woman’s death

“Sarah's Law requires undocumented immigrants who have committed violent crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury to be detained.”

“’Today is the culmination of a nine-year battle for justice for Sarah Root,’ Sen. Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican, said in a news release after Trump signed the bill. ‘Finally, after years of working on this bill and under the leadership of President Trump, our nation’s laws will no longer prioritize illegal immigrants over Americans. I will never stop fighting for Iowans and putting their safety first to ensure that no family has to endure the pain that the Roots were forced to.’”

FOX NEWS | Sen Ernst renews push for bill ending illegal immigration ‘loophole’ as Congress takes action

“Whether it is Iowan Sarah Root or Laken Riley, too many innocent Americans have fallen victim to illegal immigrants in this country. The true tragedy of crimes committed by illegal immigrants is that every single one of them is preventable.”

BREITBART | Joni Ernst Proposes Sarah’s Law to Build Upon Laken Riley Act

“My Sarah’s Law will build upon the Laken Riley Act and close another loophole to prevent another American life from being cut short."

WASHINGTON EXAMINER | Iowa Republicans reintroduce Sarah’s Law as GOP zeroes in on border

“For years, I have worked tirelessly to pass Sarah’s Law to honor her memory, hold illegal immigrants that cause bodily harm to our citizens accountable, and ensure this never happens again. I will not give up this fight for justice, because our laws should not prioritize illegal immigrants over the safety of Americans.”

RADIO IOWA | U.S. Senate advances Sarah’s Law, drafted after Iowan’s 2016 death

“Sarah’s Law was named for Sarah Root of Council Bluffs who was killed nearly nine years ago by a drunk driver who was in the country illegally. Senator Joni Ernst said the man responsible for the 21-year-old Iowan’s death escaped justice because of a legal loophole.”

THE GAZETTE | Senate passes immigrant detention bill that could be the first measure Trump signs into law

“We can do something to ensure no other family has to go through the pain and grief Sarah’s parents still feel from that heartbreaking day. My amendment would close the alarming loophole that let Sarah’s killer go free.”

BREITBART | Sen. Joni Ernst: Republicans Securing Border, Closing Loopholes to Prevent Illegal Alien Crime

“Our laws will no longer prioritize dangerous criminal illegal immigrants over U.S. citizens. Nearly nine years to the day when 21-year-old Iowan Sarah Root was killed, the Senate has passed Sarah’s Law in her honor to close the loophole that allowed her killer to escape justice.”

Watch KCAU’s coverage here.

“Iowa Senator Joni Ernst amendment, Sarah’s Law, named after Sarah Root, who was killed in a car crash in 2016 involving a migrant who did not have legal status who posted bond and fled the country. The amendment expands the legislation to include the detainment of migrants without legal status charged with crimes that cause serious bodily injury or death.”

Watch KWWL’s coverage here. 

“Adopted amendment from Sarah’s Law, which was introduced by Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst back in 2016, it was named after Sarah Root, who was killed by an illegal immigrant driving under the influence. Senator Ernst celebrated the Laken Riley Act passing the Senate. She wrote on Facebook: ‘Republicans are putting Americans’ safety first and closing loopholes used by violent illegal immigrants to evade justice.’”

Watch KTIV’s coverage here. 

“Both of Iowa’s U.S. Senators voted for the bill, which also includes an amendment honoring Iowa native Sarah Root, who was killed an undocumented immigrant drunk driver nearly nine years ago… Iowa Senator Joni Ernst who introduced the amendment honoring Root said in a statement: ‘These actions will close loopholes that for too long have allowed murderers – who come here illegally – to roam free in our communities and commit more crimes.’”

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