Illegal accused of murdering Sheridan Gorman was released into U.S. despite concerns he would disappear

Jose Medina-Medina and Sheridan Gorman.

The illegal immigrant who's been charged with killing 18-year-old college student Sheridan Gorman in Chicago last month was released into the country after being apprehended at the border despite concerns that he could be dangerous and was likely to disappear. 

The revelations about Jose Medina-Medina, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, were uncovered by the House Judiciary Committee and made public on Tuesday. According to Border Patrol documents, Medina-Medina was stopped by agents when he was illegally crossing the southern border in 2023, but Border Patrol released Medina-Medina into the U.S. at the time under Biden's lax border policies.

During the Biden administration, millions of illegals were allowed into the country, and the administration frequently said those who were let in, even when they were entering illegally, were allowed to stay in the U.S. because they were seeking asylum or feared violence in their countries of origin.

However, the documents show that Medina-Medina was asked by agents if he was seeking asylum and he told them he did "not fear harm or persecution" if he was sent back to his native country. Furthermore, border agents deemed Medina-Medina was "likely to abscond." Still, they were given the directive to release Medina-Medina into the country. 

Fast forward to March of 2026, and Medina-Medina fatally shot Gorman, who was a freshman at Loyola University Chicago, while Gorman and friends were out trying to spot a view of the Northern Lights. A witness reportedly said Medina-Medina wore a mask, approached the group of friends, fatally shot Gorman and then ran off. In addition to the first-degree murder charge, the 25-year-old Medina-Medina, has also been charged with illegal possession of a firearm. Medina-Medina had also been arrested in Chicago for shoplifting, but never showed up to court to face charges.

Gorman's parents have criticized state and local officials in Chicago for sanctuary policies that prevent local law enforcement from collaborating with federal officials to apprehend and deport illegal immigrants. Even Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a Democrat, has blasted those in his party for policies that led to Gorman's slaying, which he said was "preventable." Below, see the documents uncovered by the House Judiciary Committee.