Chicago Mayor Defends Illegal Immigrants After Loyola Student's Murder

Mayor Brandon Johnson says federal government should pass amnesty in wake of Sheridan Gorman's death.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:20pm

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A quiet, cinematic painting of a solitary police car parked on a dimly lit urban street, with warm diagonal lighting and deep shadows, conceptually illustrating the tension and melancholy surrounding a high-profile crime and its political aftermath.The tragic death of a young student sparks a divisive debate over immigration policy and public safety in Chicago.Chicago Today

In the aftermath of 18-year-old Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman's murder, allegedly by an illegal immigrant, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has defended the rights of undocumented immigrants and called for the federal government to pass amnesty. Johnson's comments have drawn criticism from Gorman's family and others who say the mayor's policies directly contributed to the tragedy.

Why it matters

The mayor's remarks have sparked outrage and renewed debate over sanctuary city policies, immigration reform, and the balance between protecting immigrant communities and public safety concerns. Gorman's death has become a flashpoint in the ongoing national conversation around illegal immigration and the role of local governments.

The details

According to police, 25-year-old Venezuelan illegal immigrant Jose Medina-Medina allegedly approached a group of Loyola students near a Chicago beach in the early morning hours of March 19 and opened fire, killing Sheridan Gorman. Medina-Medina had previously been apprehended crossing the border in 2023 but was released into the U.S. under the Biden administration's catch-and-release policies. He was later arrested for shoplifting in Chicago but was not turned over to ICE due to the city's sanctuary policies.

  • On March 19, 2026, Sheridan Gorman was killed in the shooting.
  • In May 2023, Jose Medina-Medina was apprehended crossing the southern border.
  • In June 2023, Medina-Medina was arrested in Chicago for shoplifting.

The players

Brandon Johnson

The Democratic mayor of Chicago who has defended the rights of illegal immigrants and called for federal amnesty in the wake of Sheridan Gorman's murder.

Sheridan Gorman

An 18-year-old Loyola University freshman who was killed in a shooting allegedly perpetrated by an illegal immigrant in Chicago.

Jose Medina-Medina

A 25-year-old Venezuelan illegal immigrant who was arrested for Sheridan Gorman's murder. He had previously been apprehended at the border and arrested for shoplifting in Chicago.

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What they’re saying

“If this was really about safety, we would dig in and pass comprehensive immigration reform policy, so has the federal government failed in that regard? It certainly has.”

— Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago

“At the exact moment that she was being laid to rest, you were rallying, screaming into a microphone for the rights of illegal aliens. Many people, hundreds of thousands, in fact, of real Chicagoans have contacted me and have told me that they thought that was an incredibly poor taste … very, almost hateful.”

— Unnamed reporter

What’s next

The Chicago Police Department and federal immigration authorities continue to investigate Sheridan Gorman's murder. Mayor Johnson faces growing criticism for his stance on illegal immigration in the wake of the tragedy.

The takeaway

Sheridan Gorman's death has become a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration policy and the role of sanctuary cities. Mayor Johnson's defense of illegal immigrants has angered many in the community, who argue his policies contributed to this tragedy and put public safety at risk.