University Paper Tracks ICE Activity Following Student’s Death
More than a week after the Department of Homeland Security reported the tragic death of Loyola University Chicago freshman Sheridan Gorman, the university’s newspaper is still actively covering news related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. This includes tips from locals alerting the paper about ICE presence in the area.
The Loyola Phoenix had announced last October that it would be creating a map for tracking ICE activities, inviting readers to share tips. They’ve promoted this tracker prominently, even showcasing it on their social media profiles.
“While social media spreads knowledge quickly, it can also spread misinformation. As student journalists, we want to use our platform to document verified ICE sightings during this historic time,” the post explained.
The article stated, “Phoenix has established a map to identify ICE officer sightings. Anyone can submit information, which will be verified before publication on social media or their websites.”
Gorman, only 18, was shot in the early hours of March 19 while with friends at a pier in Rogers Park, Chicago. Officials reported that Jose Medina-Medina, 25, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, allegedly fired the shots that killed her. Medina-Medina was apprehended by Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, after reportedly being released under the current administration’s policies.
Recently, the Loyola Phoenix faced backlash after activists criticized its terminology, particularly the use of “illegal immigrant.” In response, the editorial staff quickly offered apologies, updated their articles, and omitted references to Medina-Medina’s immigration status.
A lengthy editor’s note clarified the earlier use of terms deemed inappropriate. “The headline did not reflect key elements of the article and was amended after several minutes to avoid further prejudice against affected communities,” it stated.
Further, the paper acknowledged that these terms led to harm, asserting, “Human presence is not illegal. We have promptly adjusted our language to better represent our values.”
The murder has ignited political tensions, with Gorman’s family, as well as local and federal authorities, accusing state and city officials of failing to cooperate with federal immigration laws. The family reached out directly to Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, while Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has emphasized the need for accountability.
“What happened to Sheridan cannot simply be labeled as a ‘senseless tragedy.’ She was our daughter, and this incident should urge leadership to face the hard truths and ensure such tragedies do not occur again,” the family expressed. Both Loyola Phoenix and the university have not commented on these developments.
