Federal Immigration Agency Failed Sarah Root, America Says Congressman Young at Capitol Hill Hearing

Statement

Today, Iowa Congressman David Young criticized the federal government's lack of enforcement and understanding of our nation's immigration laws while introducing the father of an Iowan who was tragically killed by an illegal immigrant in January. Young introduced Scott Root, a Council Bluffs resident, who testified about the loss of his daughter Sarah Root at a U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing entitled, "Criminal Aliens Released by the Department of Homeland Security."

Eswin Mejia, the illegal immigrant charged with Sarah's death, has not been seen since posting bail in February. His disappearance follows United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) failure to act on requests from local law enforcement to detain Mejia.

"What happened to Sarah was a tragedy and a horrible crime, and now the Root family and the community are left waiting to see if Eswin Mejia will ever be found, will ever stand trial because of failures of the court, and failures of the federal government to enforce our laws," Congressman Young said.

"From ICE, not accurately reviewing the requests of the local police, to the Department of Health and Human Services placing Eswin Mejia as an unaccompanied minor with his brother, who is also here illegally," Congressman Young continued. "I am astounded. This Administration not only continues to restrict the enforcement of our immigration laws, but they don't seem to understand them in the first place."

"Nothing can bring Sarah back, but we can honor her, and preserve Sarah's memory with justice, in making sure this never happens again," Congressman Young added.

Last month, Congressman David Young also sought answers from ICE Director Sarah Saldana about the agency's mishandling of the case, to which Director Saldana said, "That is at the top of our list of fugitives, we are assisting the local police department in trying to locate them," referring to the priorities of the National Fugitive Operations Program.

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