Dem Senator Blocks Bill That Would Protect America From Migrants

Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa has pressed for a vote on a measure that would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain undocumented immigrants accused of violent crimes. This law is necessary in light of recent incidents, such as the assaults on New York police officers by migrants and the suspected murder of University of Georgia student Laken Riley by an illegal immigrant. Ernst spoke passionately for a vote on the measure, stressing the critical need to protect innocent people from illegal immigrants.

Ernst sought to allay Democratic concerns by clarifying that the bill would just require ICE to hold undocumented immigrants facing charges of murder or serious bodily injury. Sarah Root, a 21-year-old from Iowa, was the unfortunate victim of a drunk driver named Edwin Mejia in 2016. The senator spoke about the heartbreaking story that inspired the measure. Durbin, who voiced an objection, claimed that the law would deny immigrants the same rights to due process that all citizens have.

Sarah Root, a 21-year-old from Iowa, lost her life after being struck by a drunk motorist who was in the nation illegally. Despite evading court appearances, suspect Edwin Mejia was able to post bail, as Ernst noted. Laken Riley, a 22-year-old UGA nursing student whom the senator brought up, was murdered last month. Jose Ibarra  (in Joe Biden’s words) is “an illegal” and is now facing many counts, including criminal murder and malice murder.

The murder of Riley came to the attention of the country last month, prompting Republicans in Congress to demand answers. Ernst claims that the present policies make it probable that the deaths of Root and Riley will occur again.

Ernst brought to light the Biden policy of “catch and release,” in which undocumented individuals who apply for asylum are freed from custody while their cases are being handled. It is believed that Riley’s alleged murder may have been avoided if Ibarra had been arrested upon arrival to the nation. However, the assault would not have been prevented by Sarah’s Law, as Ibarra’s criminal history does not include any offenses involving the death or injury of others.