Sarah's Law

Senate Bill

S. 84

119th Congress

Sarah's Law

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 14, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Joni Ernst

Senator

Republican

IA

Cosponsors

34

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Immigration

Summary

This bill requires ICE to detain unlawfully present individuals charged with crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury to another person. ICE must make reasonable efforts to identify victims and provide them or their families with information about the detained individual, including name, date of birth, nationality, immigration status, criminal history, and removal efforts.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill requires ICE to detain unlawfully present individuals charged with crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury to another person. ICE must make reasonable efforts to identify victims and provide them or their families with information about the detained individual, including name, date of birth, nationality, immigration status, criminal history, and removal efforts.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Sarah's Law This bill requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) who is unlawfully present in the United States and has been charged with a crime that resulted in the death or serious bodily injury of another person. ICE must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the identity of any victims of the crimes for which the detained individual was charged or convicted. ICE shall provide the victim, or a relative or guardian of a deceased victim, with information about the detained individual, including name, date of birth, nationality, immigration status, criminal history, and a description of any related removal efforts.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Mandatory ICE detention for serious crime charges
Applies to crimes causing death or serious injury
Requires victim identification efforts
Mandates victim notification of detainee information
Includes criminal history and removal status updates

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Sarahs Law is named for Sarah Root, killed by an unlawfully present individual released on bail. The bill addresses concerns that ICE does not always detain dangerous individuals. Victim notification requirements give families information about offenders immigration status and potential deportation. The legislation prioritizes public safety by ensuring detention of those charged with violent crimes.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Immigration

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

84, 119th Congress (2025). "Sarah's Law". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-84