Congress takes action on bill ending illegal immigration 'loophole' as Ernst renews push

Sen. Joni Ernst is reintroducing legislation to require federal authorities to take illegal immigrants charged with killing someone into custody, addressing a "loophole" in federal law as the Senate considers bills cracking down on illegal immigration.

Sarah's Law is being revived by Ernst, who named it after Sarah Root, a 21-year-old Iowa woman killed by a drunken driver in the U.S. illegally. The suspect, Edwin Mejia, posted bond and ultimately escaped from facing a court.

In 2016, Fox was charged with motor vehicle homicide and posted bond. However, ICE did not file a detainer against him, requesting that he be transferred into their custody upon release.

The bill mandates ICE to detain illegal immigrants who are charged with causing harm to others and to make efforts to identify and inform the families of victims upon encountering an illegal immigrant subject to mandatory detention.

At a time when illegal immigration has become a top priority for the Senate, and some Democrats are open to laws increasing ICE enforcement, Ernst is pushing for the law to be passed.

A dozen Senate Democrats supported the advancement of the Laken Riley Act to full debate in the upper chamber last week. This bill, named after a Georgia nursing student killed by a Venezuelan illegal immigrant, would require ICE to detain illegal immigrants who commit theft-related crimes. The bill passed the House with the support of all Republicans and 48 Democrats.

"Sarah Ernst stated that both Iowan Sarah Root and Laken Riley are examples of innocent Americans who have been victims of illegal immigrants in this country. She emphasized that the crimes committed by illegal immigrants are preventable and that her Sarah’s Law will build upon the Laken Riley Act to close another loophole and prevent another American life from being cut short."

In addition to the SAVE Act, lawmakers are introducing legislation to combat noncitizen voting in federal elections. This move follows the 2024 elections, where illegal immigration and border security were major concerns, resulting in a Republican-controlled House and Senate and the re-election of President-elect Trump.

Other lawmakers are proposing legislation to bring back the Remain-in-Mexico policy, which kept migrants in Mexico during their asylum proceedings.

Planet Chronicle' Liz Elkind contributed to this report.