On the three-year anniversary of Sarah’s death, Senator Joni Ernst spoke on the Senate floor about the preventable loss, as well as a reintroduction of Sarah’s [...]]]> On January 31, 2016, Sarah Root was killed by drunk driving illegal alien Edwin Mejia. She was just 21, and had graduated from Bellevue University the day before.

On the three-year anniversary of Sarah’s death, Senator Joni Ernst spoke on the Senate floor about the preventable loss, as well as a reintroduction of Sarah’s Law, proposed legislation that would prohibit federal immigration officials from releasing any illegal alien who has committed a violent crime against an American citizen

On Third Anniversary of Her Death, Senator Ernst Re-Introduces Sarah’s Law, Senator Ernst Press Release, Jan 31 2019

Ernst: “We have an obligation to the Root family, and to the American people, to ensure that no person falls victim to this injustice again”

WASHINGTON – On January 31, 2016, the night of her graduation, Sarah Root, a twenty-one year-old Iowan from Council Bluffs, was struck and killed in Omaha, Neb., by Edwin Mejia, who entered the country illegally and was driving drunk – three times over the legal limit.

Today, on the third anniversary of her death, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), along with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Deb Fischer (R-NE) and 11 of their colleagues, re-introduced legislation in honor of Sarah, to allow federal law enforcement to detain illegal immigrants criminally charged with killing or seriously injuring another person.

“It is wholly unacceptable that someone who is here illegally and is responsible for the death of another human being is not considered an enforcement priority nor is detained by ICE. We have an obligation to the Root family, and to the American people, to ensure that no person falls victim to this injustice again.  Sarah’s Law brings us one step closer to restoring justice in our broken immigration system by allowing ICE to detain and hold these criminals accountable,” said Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA).

“The tragic death of Sarah Root three years ago and the ongoing search for her killer underscore the serious attention border security and immigration enforcement require in America. Sarah’s life was cut short by an undocumented immigrant who disregarded the rule of law and decided to get behind the wheel after drinking.  The Obama Administration refused to take custody of Sarah’s killer because it didn’t consider him a priority, allowing him to disappear into the shadows. The Roots have been robbed of their daughter, and at least for now, they have been robbed of justice.  Our legislation, named in Sarah’s memory, will ensure that those who harm or kill Americans will be taken into custody and removed while also ensuring that victims and their families get the information they deserve from the government as they pursue justice,” said Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

“Edwin Mejia’s mugshot shouldn’t be on a most wanted poster — Edwin Mejia should be in jail, serving hard time for the life he took and the pain he left behind,” said Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE). “Sarah’s Law is common-sense legislation that Sarah and her family deserve to have signed into law. Congress should waste no time sending this legislation to the President’s desk for his signature.” . . .

The appalling case was reported here in [...]]]> There’s an interesting anti-illegal-alien ad on television that I happened to see the other day: in it a bereaved mom describes the loss of her daughter when a drunk-driving illegal alien struck and killed her, and then he was released from jail despite his crime and status.

The appalling case was reported here in April 2016: Drunk Driving Illegal Alien Kills Woman, Is Bailed Out and Disappears.

Below, illegal alien Edwin Mejia (left) killed Sarah Root (right), yet was allowed to post bond from jail and escape.

The organization America First Policies produced the video; its Youtube page is here.

Here’s a report on the video from The Hill:

Pro-Trump group to debut latest ad in $1M push for border wall, The Hill, November 23, 2018

A political nonprofit aiming to boost President Trump’s policies is set to debut a new ad on Monday calling on lawmakers to fund his long-promised wall along the U.S. southern border.

The $500,000 ad buy is the second from America First Policies this month, seeking to put pressure on Congress to get behind the border wall project. Together, the ads have cost the group $1 million so far.

The latest spot features Michelle Root, whose daughter was killed in 2016 in a car crash allegedly caused by an immigrant in the country without legal status. In the ad, Root suggests that building the border wall would prevent future tragedies, while alluding to the administration’s controversial former policy of separating migrant families at the border.

“My separation is permanent,” she says in the 30-second spot. “I want to see that wall built. I want to see stronger immigration laws. Make your voice heard. Call your congressman and your senators.”

The ad comes nearly three weeks after Democrats recaptured the House in the midterm elections, giving them a majority in the chamber for at least the next two years.

The party needed to gain at least 23 seats to recapture control of the House. So far, Democrats have picked up 38 seats.

The ad from America First Policies also comes as a deadline for lawmakers to fund the government is just two weeks away.

Trump wants Congress to approve at least $5 billion in funding for his border wall, while Senate Democrats have said that they will offer no more than $1.6 billion.  (Continues)