# Sarah's Law: Plain Language Summary

Sarah's Law requires the federal government to notify crime victims and their families when someone who committed a crime against them is released from immigration detention or deported. Specifically, if an immigrant is being held by immigration authorities and is accused or convicted of a crime, the victim of that crime has the right to be informed before that person is let go or sent back to their home country. This notification requirement applies whether the person is ultimately deported, released on bail, or freed for any other reason.

The law is named after victims of crimes committed by people in the country illegally, reflecting a concern that victims deserve to know what happens to those who harmed them. Under this law, immigration authorities must make a reasonable effort to contact victims and inform them of the release or deportation. This means victims won't be left in the dark wondering about the status of someone who hurt them—they'll get official notice of what's happening in the immigration system.

The practical effect is that crime victims gain transparency and some peace of mind about the immigration proceedings involving their offenders. However, the law doesn't change whether someone gets deported or released—it only requires that victims be told when it happens. For immigration authorities, this creates an additional administrative requirement to track down and notify victims, which means more paperwork and coordination between immigration agencies and law enforcement.

Sarah's Law

Ernst, Joni

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.