Gorman Family Challenges Illinois Leaders Over Sanctuary Policies
The Angell family of Sheridan Gorman, who tragically lost her life allegedly at the hands of an undocumented immigrant, is pushing back against Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Both leaders have been strong advocates for the state’s sanctuary policies.
Recent reports reveal that Jose Medina-Medina, a 25-year-old undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, is facing charges for Gorman’s murder, which occurred during an unprovoked attack at Chicago’s Toby Prinz Beach. Prosecutors state that Gorman was out with friends when she noticed Medina-Medina lurking nearby. As the group attempted to flee for safety, he opened fire, fatally wounding the college freshman.
This week, a reporter asked Johnson whether he would apologize to Gorman’s family for the city’s policy, which protects undocumented immigrants from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intervention.
Interestingly, Medina-Medina had been arrested for shoplifting in June 2023 but was not handed over to ICE at that time.
Johnson responded by grouping Gorman’s death with other instances of “senseless violence,” asserting that it had no connection to the sanctuary policies in Chicago.
He mentioned, “The Welcoming City Ordinance was implemented 40 years ago by Chicago’s first Black mayor, and the Safe-T Act was passed by a Republican governor.”
Pritzker also deflected responsibility, pointing to the Trump administration and suggesting that it was federal immigration failures that contributed to the tragedy. He remarked, “This was a terrible tragedy… and those failures extend beyond Illinois’ borders.”
Now, the Gorman family is responding, expressing frustration over the attempts to divert blame from the state’s sanctuary policies.
In their statement, they emphasized, “What happened to Sheridan cannot merely be labeled as a ‘senseless tragedy’ or explained away by public safety issues.” They passionately conveyed that Sheridan was just 18, enjoying a normal outing with friends, and should still be alive today. They insisted on the need for accountability, not just vague discussions about societal failures.
They further stated that their daughter’s murder “cannot be brushed off by broad references to external failures,” emphasizing that she was a beloved daughter and sister whose life ended violently in an unexpected manner.
The family reinforced their lack of interest in political debates, saying that there needs to be a clear acknowledgment of what went wrong. They called for leadership to confront the realities and ensure that a tragedy like this does not occur again.
ICE officials reported that Medina-Medina crossed the southern border in May 2023 but was released into the U.S. under the Biden administration’s policies. At the time of his arrest for shoplifting, he was reportedly living in taxpayer-funded housing while facing serious charges, including the murder of Gorman, yet taxpayers are also covering his medical treatment for tuberculosis.
