Sheridan Gorman, 18, a student at Loyola University Chicago, was shot and killed by Jose Medina-Medina, authorities allege. The suspect had previously been picked up for shoplifting in Cook County, a charge that would have qualified him for federal detention and processing under the Laken Riley Act instead of being released back onto the streets.
The Laken Riley Act, named for a Georgia college student killed by another illegal immigrant repeat offender, was passed by Congress in early 2025. The Illinois congressional delegation voted 11-5 against the legislation, with all three Republicans joined by Democratic Reps. Nikki Budzinski and Eric Sorenson voting in favor. Eleven other Democrats opposed the bill, with Democratic Rep. Brad Schneider not voting due to a medical emergency but later stating he would have voted 'no.'
DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital that Gorman's death could have been prevented if not for sanctuary state and city policies and if a law like the Laken Riley Act had been in effect sooner.
What the Right Is Saying
DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis was adamant that Gorman's death was preventable had the Laken Riley Act been in effect. 'These politicians would rather release criminal illegal aliens from jails into our communities to perpetuate more crimes and create more victims,' Bis said. 'Sheridan Gorman was failed by open border policies and sanctuary politicians who released this illegal alien twice before he went on to commit this heinous murder.'
Bis called on Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago leaders to stop releasing criminal illegal immigrants back onto the streets, saying Trump signed the Laken Riley Act specifically to prevent cases like Gorman's. She noted that 21,400 illegal immigrants have been arrested or detained thanks to the act in the year since its passage.
The Trump administration has pointed to the Laken Riley Act as a key tool in addressing crime committed by repeat offenders who are in the country illegally, arguing that federal detention authority would prevent future tragedies.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic Rep. Brad Schneider, who would have voted no, said in a January 2025 statement that the bill 'opens the door to the targeting and detention of innocent people, something clearly prohibited by our Constitution.' Schneider said he would support something more along the lines of the Lankford-Sinema immigration bill, which was opposed by President Donald Trump. He did not respond to a request for comment Monday.
Democratic Rep. Jonathan Jackson of Chicago told Fox News Digital that Gorman's murder is a 'senseless tragedy' and offered condolences to her family. However, Jackson emphasized that the issue extends beyond a single piece of legislation.
'Let's be clear: this is about more than a single piece of legislation,' Jackson said. 'I encourage my colleagues to prioritize bills that strengthen, not divide, our communities and policies which would build safer, thriving communities, and save lives, by investing in effective community-based violence interventions.'
A spokesperson for retiring Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston directed Fox News Digital to a public statement expressing condolences but offered no comment on the Laken Riley Act itself. 'There are no words for a loss like this,' the statement said. 'Sheridan Gorman was just 18 years old, with her whole life ahead of her.'
Nine other Illinois Democrats who voted against the act did not respond to requests for comment or declined to provide a statement. Representatives for Reps. Danny Davis, Delia Ramirez, Robin Kelly, Mike Quigley, Jesus Garcia, Bill Foster, Lauren Underwood, Sean Casten, and Raja Krishnamoorthi either did not respond or were unavailable for comment. Sens. Richard Durbin and Tammy Duckworth also voted no and did not respond to requests for comment.
What the Numbers Show
The Illinois congressional delegation vote on the Laken Riley Act broke down along party lines with one exception. All three Republicans in the delegation—Reps. Darin LaHood, Mike Bost, and Ashley Hinson—voted for the act. Two Democrats also voted for it: Reps. Nikki Budzinski and Eric Sorenson.
Eleven Democrats voted against the act, with Rep. Brad Schneider not voting due to a medical emergency but indicating he would have opposed the legislation. The final vote in the House was 258-166, with the bill passing despite opposition from most Democrats.
According to DHS data cited by Bis, 21,400 illegal immigrants have been arrested or detained under the Laken Riley Act in the year since its passage. The act allows federal immigration authorities to detain individuals who have been charged with theft or burglary offenses while their cases are pending.
Sheridan Gorman was 18 years old at the time of her death. Jose Medina-Medina has been charged in connection with the killing.
The Bottom Line
The killing of Sheridan Gorman has revived political debate over the Laken Riley Act and the broader immigration enforcement policies in Illinois. Democrats who opposed the act maintain it could lead to constitutional violations, while Republicans and DHS officials argue the law prevents crimes and saves lives.
Nine of the 11 Illinois Democrats who voted against the act have not publicly defended their positions since Gorman's death. Their silence has drawn criticism from DHS officials and supporters of stricter immigration enforcement.
What to watch: Whether any of the Democrats who voted no will reconsider their position or modify their stance on immigration enforcement, and whether this case influences future legislation on federal detention authority for non-citizens with pending charges.