Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois expressed concerns about “real failures” in immigration policy and criticized former President Trump for not adhering to his own directives.
Jose Medina, a 25-year-old man, was arrested on Friday for allegedly fatally shooting Sheridan Gorman at a Chicago pier early Thursday morning. Gorman, who was enjoying time with friends, lost his life in this incident. Medina, originally from Venezuela, had been apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, but was later released under the Biden administration, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security.
Pritzker’s remarks seemed to point fingers at the Trump administration. According to media reports, he stated, “This is such a terrible tragedy. The Gorman family has gone through immense suffering…These failures go beyond Illinois; they reflect a national failure regarding immigration reform.” His comments were made while homes in Gorman’s hometown, Yorktown Heights, New York, were illuminated in green to honor the Loyola University Chicago student. The color green is associated with Gorman’s school.
He added, “We have a lot of work to do. While federal authorities should handle immigration enforcement, local and state law enforcement must focus on arresting and prosecuting violent criminals. This needs to happen at both state and national levels.”
In light of the tragedy, Representative Matt Slater from New York mentioned that the community was lighting green lights to support the Gorman family, saying, “We want them to know we’re here for them, and our hearts ache for their loss.”
Sheridan’s mother, Jessica Gorman, expressed determination to seek justice for her daughter. She shared that their focus right now is on arranging for Sheridan’s burial, emphasizing the importance of celebrating her life instead of engaging with the accused. “We won’t be talking to this guy,” she stated.
Illinois is identified as a sanctuary state, which generally restricts local law enforcement’s involvement in immigration matters.
In earlier communications to Fox News Digital, the Gorman family expressed frustration at the policies that permitted Medina to remain in the country. They articulated that “when a system fails, the ramifications are real and, unfortunately, permanent” in their case.
Following the alleged shooting, security footage captured Medina in the lobby of his apartment building, where he was recognized by someone who noted a distinctive limp. Witnesses described him leaving the scene and walking slowly before entering an apartment building.
Authorities have linked Medina to the case, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection identifying him from an image shared via police databases. His residence was later confirmed as a shelter for migrants, which is set to close next year.
As this situation unfolds, Fox News Digital has reached out to Pritzker’s office for further comments.
