Jessica Gorman, the mother of 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman, criticized Democratic lawmakers on Thursday over their conduct during a congressional hearing on sanctuary policies. She said lawmakers laughed and appeared dismissive as families described the deaths of their children. Sheridan was fatally shot in Chicago in March 2026, and a Venezuelan national has been charged in the case. The event in Washington also featured the father of another slain young woman, who focused on failures in the broader criminal justice system.
| 1) | Gorman describes her daughter’s death |
| 2) | Criticism of sanctuary policies |
| 3) | Dispute over congressional testimony |
| 4) | A second family raises justice concerns |
| 5) | Officials honor victims of violent crime |
Gorman describes her daughter’s death
Jessica Anne Gorman spoke in Washington, D.C., on September 24, 2026, about the March death of her daughter, Sheridan Gorman. Sheridan was an 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago student who was shot while visiting friends near a pier and lighthouse in Chicago. Jose Medina, a Venezuelan national who entered the United States illegally and had previously been released following a Chicago shoplifting arrest, has been charged with murder in the case.
Gorman connected her daughter’s death to concerns about immigration enforcement and local policies that can limit cooperation with federal authorities. Her remarks came at a gathering attended by families of people killed in separate crimes and by senior justice and administration officials.
Criticism of sanctuary policies
Gorman said sanctuary policies failed to ensure that federal immigration authorities were notified after Medina’s earlier arrest. She argued that policies intended to restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement can leave families exposed when people accused of crimes are released back into communities.
Her criticism was aimed at Democratic lawmakers who support protections for immigrants living in the country illegally. She said the issue was not only immigration enforcement, but also whether local and federal agencies properly share information about people arrested for crimes and how officials assess public safety risks before release.
Dispute over congressional testimony
Gorman also described a House hearing on sanctuary policies at which she and other so-called angel families were given limited time to discuss their losses. She said she heard laughter from lawmakers while testifying about Sheridan’s death and viewed the reaction as disrespectful.
She specifically criticized Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Democrat of Washington, who Gorman said remarked that the hearing was the fourth of its kind and that lawmakers had other matters to address. Gorman said families were being given only five minutes to tell the stories of their children.
“They give us five minutes to tell our daughter’s story,” Gorman said. “Our dead children’s story.”
Gorman also accused Rep. Jerry Nadler, Democrat of New York, of napping during the proceedings. Jayapal’s office was contacted for comment, according to the account of the event.
A second family raises justice concerns
The event included Stephen Federico, whose daughter Logan Federico was killed while visiting friends at the University of South Carolina. Federico emphasized that his daughter’s accused killer was not an immigrant, arguing that the justice system can fail victims regardless of a defendant’s immigration status.
Alexander Dickey, 30, a career criminal with dozens of prior arrests, is accused of shooting and killing Logan Federico during a home break-in. Federico said Dickey had been arrested 39 times yet remained free, which he attributed to fingerprinting and processing problems, as well as decisions by judges and prosecutors.
“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.”
Officials honor victims of violent crime
The Washington gathering was held to honor victims of violent crime and their families. Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel, border czar Tom Homan and drug czar Sara Carter were among the officials present.
The participation of families from different cases broadened the discussion beyond sanctuary policies. Gorman focused on immigration enforcement and the handling of Medina’s earlier arrest, while Federico described failures involving a repeat offender who was born in the United States. Both families called for stronger accountability from institutions responsible for arrests, prosecutions, detention and release decisions.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sheridan Gorman was killed in Chicago in March 2026. |
| 2 | Her mother blamed sanctuary policies for inadequate immigration notification. |
| 3 | Gorman accused two Democratic lawmakers of disrespectful conduct. |
| 4 | Another father cited repeated arrests involving his daughter’s accused killer. |
Summary
The event highlighted competing concerns about immigration enforcement, sanctuary policies and the treatment of repeat offenders within the criminal justice system. Jessica Gorman said lawmakers minimized the testimony of families who lost children, while Stephen Federico argued that systemic failures can affect victims in cases involving both undocumented immigrants and U.S.-born defendants. The families are seeking greater accountability from lawmakers and public safety agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sheridan Gorman?
Sheridan Gorman was an 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago student who was fatally shot in Chicago in March 2026.
What did Jessica Gorman criticize?
She criticized sanctuary policies and Democratic lawmakers whom she said dismissed or showed disrespect toward families testifying about deaths linked to violent crime.
What other case was discussed?
Stephen Federico discussed the killing of his daughter, Logan, and alleged that repeated arrests and justice system process failures left her accused killer on the streets.
