Law named in honor of Council Bluffs woman killed by intoxicated driver headed to Trump’s desk

Law named in honor of Council Bluffs woman killed by intoxicated driver headed to Trump’s desk

The first piece of legislation signed into law by President Trump includes provisions that Iowa’s congressional delegation has sought for the past eight years.

Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra is a sponsor of “Sarah’s Law,” named after a 21-year-old Council Bluffs woman who died in Omaha just hours after graduating from college.

“In the early morning hours of January 31, 2016, Michelle and Scott Root received the call that no parent wants to hear. “Their daughter Sarah was killed in a car accident,” Feenstra stated.

“What’s worse is Sarah was killed by an illegal immigrant who was driving drunk — three times over the legal limit.”

Federal officials did not detain the illegal immigrant arrested and charged with Root’s death, and he fled after posting bail. “This egregious loophole in the federal law must be closed so that victims like Sarah Root can reeeive justice,” says Feenstra, “and criminals can do the hard time they deserve.”

Sarah’s Law requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain illegal immigrants who have been arrested and charged with murder or serious injury. “As a father of four, I can’t imagine the pain the Root family endures to this day.

“It’s truly heartbreaking,” Feenstra explained. “…I look forward to President Trump signing this bill into law so that illegal immigrants who violate our laws can be held accountable.”

The proposal came after Sarah Root’s case was added to the Lakin Riley Act, which requires ICE to detain illegal immigrants accused of theft or burglary. Lakin Riley, a Georgia nursing student, was murdered by an illegal immigrant who had previously been arrested for shoplifting.

The combination of these two bills passed the US Senate on Monday and was approved by the US House today (Wednesday) by a vote of 263 to 156.

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