Ernst Celebrates House Passage of Laken Riley Act, Sarah’s Law

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) celebrated the House of Representatives passing the Laken Riley Act with Sarah's Law to require illegal immigrants who have committed violent crimes against Americans to be detained.

Ernst's Sarah's Law honors Iowan Sarah Root, who was killed by an illegal immigrant who was driving drunk. 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.

"Nearly nine years to the day since Sarah Root was killed, we are delivering justice for her, Laken Riley, and the other innocent Americans who were victims of migrant crime," said Ernst. "We will no longer prioritize dangerous criminal illegal aliens over the lives of Americans. The era of open borders and lawless chaos is over. Republicans are securing the border and putting the safety and well-being of U.S. citizens first."

The bill has been passed by the Senate and will now head to President Trump to be signed into law.

Background:

Since the tragedy, Senator Ernst has been working tirelessly to pass Sarah's Law and close the loophole to bring closure to the Root family and ensure this never happens again.

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