Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, holds a poster with photos of murder victims Sarah Root and Laken Riley as she speaks after a policy luncheon on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

On Wednesday Jan. 22, I voted for, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed, the Laken Riley Act, which included my legislation with Senator Joni Ernst – Sarah’s Law – as an amendment. This important bill now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature and will truly save countless innocent lives that would have otherwise been lost due to blatant loopholes in federal law.

In the early morning hours of Jan. 31, 2016, Michelle and Scott Root received the call that is every parent’s worst nightmare. Their daughter – Sarah – had been tragically killed in a car accident. What’s worse is that Sarah was murder by an illegal immigrant who was driving while under the influence of alcohol – three times over the legal limit. Instead of being held accountable for his horrible crimes, the illegal immigrant posted bail, was released from jail, and fled the country – never to be seen again.

Similarly heartbreaking, Laken Riley – a 22-year-old nursing student – was murdered in broad daylight. She was attacked while out for her morning run on the University of Georgia campus. Desperate calls for help were made from her phone as early as 9:00 AM. Her attacker – an illegal immigrant – was previously arrested for shoplifting offenses but was released ahead of his trial. He was also apprehended at the border and was subsequently released into our country with no vetting whatsoever. It’s absolutely sickening.

These egregious loopholes in federal law had to be closed so that victims like Sarah, Laken, and their families receive the justice they are owed, and violent criminals do the hard time they deserve.

That’s why – alongside Senator Joni Ernst – I proudly introduced Sarah’s Law, which was included in the Laken Riley Act. This legislation not only delivers justice for the Root family but also ensures that any illegal immigrant who harms or kills an American citizen is swiftly detained and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It is just common sense that criminals pay the full price for their horrific actions.

After the Laken Riley Act – strengthened by Sarah’s Law – passed the House of Representatives, I immediately called Michelle Root, Sarah’s mother. For nearly a decade, through the shock and heartbreak, Michelle advocated and persevered to make sure that no other family would have to suffer the pain that her family endures to this day. I’ve spoken with her many times over the years, and she even came to my office in our nation’s capital to talk to me about Sarah and the importance of getting Sarah’s Law across the finish line. I so appreciate all that she has done to collaborate with me to make certain that illegal immigrants answer for their heinous crimes.

As a father of four, I cannot fathom the pain that the Root and Riley families feel to this day. The avoidable tragedies that took the lives of their beautiful children should never be allowed to happen again. In Congress, I will continue to work with my colleagues – and President Trump – to secure our border, build the wall, and combat despicable crimes committed by illegal immigrants. I look forward to President Trump signing this bill into law so that illegal immigrants who break our laws are held accountable – as they should be.

The passage of the Laken Riley Act – with Sarah’s Law attached – and President Trump’s work to lock down our border are already making our country safer and stronger. In honor of Sarah and Laken, who were taken far too soon, we will restore law and order in our country to protect our families and communities.

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Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, represents Iowa’s Fourth District in the U.S. House.