The grieving mother of a Loyola University Chicago student, who was tragically shot and killed earlier this year, voiced strong criticism of sanctuary city policies supported by Democrats during a charged hearing on Capitol Hill. Jessica Gorman’s daughter, Sheridan, lost her life in March. Gorman addressed a House Judiciary subcommittee discussing the impact of these policies.
Incident Involving Sheridan Gorman
Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old freshman, was fatally shot on March 19. According to authorities, the incident occurred near Tobey Prinz Beach in the Rogers Park neighborhood while she was walking with friends. Prosecutors reported that a man named Jose Medina-Medina, dressed in dark clothing and wearing a mask, approached the group and commenced shooting. Gorman was struck during this encounter.
The suspect, Medina-Medina, was apprehended a few days after the incident. He has since pleaded not guilty to numerous serious charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, and weapons violations.
Details of the Hearing
In her address to the lawmakers, Jessica Gorman expressed disappointment with what she saw as misplaced priorities. She questioned why those in the country illegally seemed to receive more attention than American citizens. Gorman asked why sanctuary policies appeared to take precedence over her daughter’s life and criticized the reluctance to collaborate with immigration authorities.
Gorman challenged expressions of sympathy from lawmakers and demanded accountability for policies she felt let her daughter down. She emphasized her belief that losing a child should not be mitigated with qualifiers, urging Congress members to take responsibility for their decisions.
Expressing frustration, Gorman stated, “I don’t understand why it’s only the Republican side that cares about our American children.” The hearing was centered on how local policies, which limit collaboration with federal immigration authorities, influence victims’ families.
Representative Pramila Jayapal, a leading Democrat on the committee, mentioned that it was the fourth hearing of this kind. She suggested that lawmakers might consider other issues, including the operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Gorman criticized Democratic lawmakers, indicating her disillusionment with the repeated hearings involving ‘angel families,’ saying, “Thanks for telling me you don’t care.”
The Department of Homeland Security released information in March regarding Jose Medina-Medina. He was initially apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and released into the United States by the Biden administration. After a shoplifting arrest in Chicago, he was released again on June 19, 2023.
This story is ongoing and updates will be provided as developments unfold.
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