Sheridan Gorman’s mother to Congress: ‘Choose us’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman’s mother is calling on Congress to enact immigration policy reforms after failed border policies, sanctuary city laws and twisted leaders sent her daughter to the grave.

Jessica Gorman testified on Tuesday afternoon before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement.

“The man accused of murdering my daughter is Jose Medina, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela who should not have even been in this country. And even after committing a crime and having an outstanding warrant, he was left on the streets of Chicago to murder my innocent American child,” Gorman said.

Sheridan Gorman was 18 years old when she was allegedly shot to death by Medina along Chicago’s lakefront on March 19.

Jessica Gorman said the story is not about Medina.

“This story is about my Sheridan. It’s about how failed border policies, sanctuary city laws and twisted leaders refusing to cooperate with ICE sent her to her grave,” Gorman said.

Gorman said no family should have to bury a child because public officials failed to put American lives first.

“I’m just asking you to choose us. We choose you. We choose you. Choose us. Why does my child matter less than an illegal immigrant, why?” Gorman asked.

Jessica Gorman listed 17 policy reforms for Congress to act upon, including several in the House Judiciary Committee’s Shut Down Sanctuary Policies Act.

Third Way Director of Social Policy Sarah Pierce told the subcommittee on Tuesday that said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has federal authority, agents, databases and extraordinary funding.

“$113.5 billion in supplemental funding through 2029, this is more than the combined operating budgets of every local law enforcement jurisdiction in America,” Pierce said.

Pierce said both the Biden administration’s border policies and the Trump administration’s interior enforcement policies are inexcusable.

Joe Abraham’s 20-year-old daughter Katie Abraham died along with 21-year-old Chloe Polzin in a January 2025 hit-and-run in Urbana that involved a Guatemalan national who was unlawfully residing in the U.S.

Abraham told the committee to pursue facts, examine failures honestly and demand accountability from those entrusted with public authority.

“Remember that behind every policy debate are real families whose lives can be changed forever by decisions made far from the consequences,” Joe Abraham said.