U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today praised the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, for their work in extraditing Edwin Mejia, an illegal immigrant who took the life of Iowan Sarah Root in 2016, and ensuring 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.
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 the Trump administration.
“For over nine years, I have called for justice on behalf of Sarah Root, and today President Trump and his administration are delivering,” said Senator Joni Ernst. “Sarah should still be alive today, and for too long Michelle, Scott, and the rest of her loved ones have been forced to live with the fact that her killer was running free.
“Finally, Edwin Mejia will face the long overdue consequences after breaking our laws and taking an innocent life. I am incredibly thankful for President Trump’s strong action, his hardworking administration, and steadfast partnership to right this wrong on behalf of Iowa families.”
