TWICE Released Illegal Kills Teen–Sanctuary City Chaos

President Trump honored a murdered college student while the policies of his predecessor—allowing twice-released illegal immigrants to roam sanctuary cities—continue to spark outrage among Americans demanding accountability for preventable tragedies.

Story Snapshot

Sheridan Gorman, 18-year-old Loyola student, was fatally shot by a Venezuelan illegal immigrant who was released twice after apprehension and arrest
President Trump paid tribute to Gorman on Easter Sunday and personally called her family to offer White House support
Jose Medina-Medina entered the U.S. in May 2023 under Biden’s border policies, was released, then released again by Chicago authorities after a shoplifting arrest
Acting DHS officials blame sanctuary city policies and open border failures for the tragedy, while Democrats push immigration reform instead of enforcement

Tragedy Strikes Near Campus

Sheridan Gorman was walking with friends near Tobey Prinz Beach in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood around 1:06 a.m. on March 19, 2026, when she was shot once in the head and killed. The 18-year-old freshman from Yorktown Heights, New York, died at the scene less than a mile from Loyola University Chicago’s campus. Jose Medina-Medina, a 25-year-old undocumented Venezuelan immigrant, was arrested and charged with her murder. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Medina-Medina entered the United States illegally in May 2023, was apprehended at the border, and released into the country.

Repeat Offender Released Under Sanctuary Policies

After entering the country illegally, Medina-Medina was arrested for shoplifting in Chicago on June 19, 2023, but was released from local custody the same day. Chicago’s sanctuary city policies prohibit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests, meaning local officials did not hold him for federal immigration authorities despite his illegal status. Acting DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated that Gorman was “failed by open border policies and sanctuary politicians who RELEASED this illegal alien TWICE.” These policies, championed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and entrenched since 1985, prevent local law enforcement from detaining illegal immigrants for ICE, even those with criminal records.

Trump Administration Stands With Family

President Trump reshared a tribute post from Dan Scavino on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, writing “Such a shining light. Rest in peace, Sheridan, you will be greatly missed!!!” The President personally spoke with the Gorman family on April 6, with a White House official confirming the call but keeping details private. Scavino had initially posted on March 28, assuring the family “Your voice will be heard” and stating that “POTUS stands with the Gorman Family.” Trump’s administration has used this tragedy to highlight the consequences of Biden-era border policies, with officials declaring “They ALL must go!” in reference to deporting illegal immigrants with criminal histories.

Political Battle Over Immigration Policy

The Gorman family held a vigil in Yorktown Heights, where mother Jessica vowed to “fight for justice.” Their statement described Sheridan as “the light of our lives” and called her death a murder that could have been prevented. Senate Judiciary Democrats, led by Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, responded by calling for bipartisan immigration reform rather than what Durbin termed Trump’s “reckless mass deportation” approach. Durbin referenced unpassed bipartisan reform bills previously blocked by House Republicans, arguing systemic fixes are needed. However, conservatives point to the direct connection between sanctuary policies, catch-and-release border practices, and preventable deaths like Gorman’s as evidence that enforcement—not more legislation—is the solution.

This case underscores the ongoing divide between those demanding border security and deportations versus those advocating for comprehensive reform. For families like the Gormans, the political rhetoric offers little comfort compared to the accountability they seek. The tragedy highlights how policies designed to shield illegal immigrants from federal immigration enforcement can leave Americans vulnerable to violent crimes committed by individuals who should never have remained in the country after their initial apprehension or subsequent criminal arrests.