Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is reintroducing legislation that may require national authorities to detain people accused of killing one, closing what she calls a “loophole” in federal rules as the Senate moves forward with several payments aimed at reducing illegal immigration. Ernst is reviving an effort to pass” Sarah’s Law”. It is named 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. He had previously been accused of vehicular homicide in 2016, but he posted bond and ICE did not file a detainer against him, requesting that he be taken into ICE custody on his release. A PRIMARY BILL NAMED AFTER LAKEN RILEY would require ICE to arrest illegal immigrants who have been detained and are accused of causing another person’s death or serious injury. Additionally, it mandates that ICE make reasonable efforts to identify and contact victims and inform their families when they encounter an illegal immigrant who is subject to mandatory detention. The Senate has a top priority over illegal immigration at the time when Ernst’s push for the law to be passed, and some Democrats appear to be open to laws that would increase ICE enforcement. A dozen Senate Democrats voted to bring the Laken Riley Act into full debate in the upper chamber last week. LAKEN RILEY ACT PASSES HOUSE WITH 48 DEMS, ALL REPUBLICANS The bill, named for a Georgia nursing student who was killed by a Venezuelan illegal immigrant last year, would require ICE to detain illegal immigrants who commit theft-related crimes. With the support of all Republicans and 48 Democrats, it was defeated in the House. Too many innocent Americans have fallen victim to illegal immigrants in this country, whether it’s Iowan Sarah Root or Laken Riley, according to Ernst in a statement. The true tragedy of crimes committed by illegal immigrants is that each and every one of them can be avoided. The SAVE Act, which targets the elimination of noncitizen voting in federal elections, will be expanded by My Sarah’s Law in addition to the Laken Riley Act, which will close yet another loophole. The efforts come after the 2024 elections, which resulted in a Republican majority in both the House and Senate and President-elect Trump’s election as president, were crucial factors in the election process. Legislation is being introduced by other lawmakers to reinstate the Remain-in-Mexico policy, which prohibited immigrants from entering Mexico during their asylum hearings. Liz Elkind of Fox News contributed to this report.