Mother of Murder Victim Blasts Democrats Over Sanctuary City Policies
Jessica Gorman, whose daughter Sheridan was killed by a Venezuelan national in the U.S. illegally, accused lawmakers of dismissing the pain of "angel families."
Jessica Anne Gorman, the mother of Sheridan Gorman, a Loyola University Chicago student killed in March 2026, has sharply criticized Democratic lawmakers who support sanctuary city policies. Gorman spoke out Thursday, detailing her experience at a congressional hearing where she testified about her daughter's death.
Sheridan Gorman, 18, was shot and killed near a pier in Chicago. The suspect, Jose Medina, is a Venezuelan national who allegedly entered the U.S. illegally and had previously been released from custody following a shoplifting arrest in Chicago.
During her testimony at a House hearing on sanctuary policies, Jessica Gorman recounted hearing laughter from lawmakers as she spoke about losing her daughter. "And I thought to myself, boy, the hits just keep on coming," Gorman said. She specifically called out Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who she said remarked that it was the fourth hearing of its kind and that there were "many other things we could be doing."
"They give us five minutes to tell our daughter's story," Gorman stated. "Our dead children's story. She listened to four before mine. She didn't want to listen to another. And honestly, I think she should listen to everyone in this room."
Gorman also accused Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) of appearing to nap during the proceedings.
Also present at the event were top Justice Department and administration officials, including Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel, Border Czar Tom Homan, and Drug Czar Sara Carter, who were honoring victims of violent crime.
Stephen Federico, the father of Logan Federico, who was killed during a home break-in, also expressed frustration. His daughter was allegedly killed by Alexander Dickey, a 30-year-old with numerous prior arrests. "My daughter wasn't killed by an illegal alien," Federico said. "She was killed by a home-grown American career criminal that we arrested 39 damn times. And he was on the street. Tell me that makes sense."