Hakeem Jeffries REFUSES Deportation — Suspect Released TWICE

A crowded press conference with journalists and cameras surrounding a speaker

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries refused to commit to deporting a Venezuelan illegal immigrant charged with murdering an 18-year-old college freshman, saying only “I’ll look into the case” despite the suspect being caught and released twice before the killing.

Story Snapshot

Jeffries deflects on whether Jose Medina-Medina should be deported after murdering Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman
Suspect was released by Biden administration in 2023, then freed again by Chicago sanctuary policies despite prior arrest
Republican leaders blast Democratic soft-on-crime immigration stance as “siding with criminal illegal immigrants”
Even Democratic Senator Fetterman breaks ranks, questioning why party won’t agree to deport lawbreakers

Democratic Leader’s Non-Answer Sparks Outrage

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries responded to direct questioning about the deportation of Jose Medina-Medina, a Venezuelan illegal immigrant charged with murdering 18-year-old Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman, with an evasive “I’ll look into the case.” The response came March 24, 2026, after DHS confirmed Medina-Medina’s status as an illegal alien who was apprehended at the border in May 2023 and released into the United States. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise sharply criticized Jeffries for refusing to affirm that a suspected murderer should face deportation, calling the response emblematic of Democratic immigration failures.

Jeffries's Infuriating Response to a Question About an Illegal Immigrant Murdererhttps://t.co/acYSbx2BXq

— PJ Media (@PJMedia_com) March 25, 2026

Catch and Release Turns Deadly

Medina-Medina’s path to allegedly murdering Sheridan Gorman exemplifies the catastrophic failures of “catch and release” policies. Border Patrol apprehended him on May 9, 2023, but the Biden administration released him into the country. Chicago authorities later arrested Medina-Medina for an unspecified crime but released him again under sanctuary city policies implemented by Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson. These policies deliberately limit cooperation with ICE, shielding illegal immigrants with criminal records from federal deportation proceedings. Days before March 24, Medina-Medina allegedly shot Gorman as she fled on a Chicago pier, ending the young student’s life.

Sanctuary Policies Shield Criminal Aliens

Chicago’s status as a sanctuary jurisdiction directly contributed to keeping Medina-Medina on American streets despite his criminal history. Illinois officials under Democratic leadership proudly maintain non-cooperation agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, even when dealing with individuals who commit crimes after illegal entry. This case mirrors the murder of Laken Riley, where House Democrats opposed the Laken Riley Act designed to rapidly remove illegal immigrants who commit crimes. The NRCC noted that Democrats have established a clear pattern of opposing deportation-focused legislation while Americans pay the price with their safety and lives.

Rare Democratic Dissent Highlights Party Divide

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania broke ranks with fellow Democrats, publicly questioning why party leaders refuse to agree on deporting illegal immigrants who break the law. His criticism underscores growing unease even within Democratic circles about immigration policies that prioritize protecting criminal aliens over American citizens. The NRCC stated that “Jeffries would rather side with a criminal illegal immigrant” than support victims like Sheridan Gorman. Republican spokesmen characterized Democrats as “too far gone” on immigration issues, noting the party’s unwillingness to take basic steps like removing convicted criminals from the country they entered illegally.

The suspect remains in custody facing murder charges, but no deportation proceedings have been announced. Loyola University’s student newspaper issued an apology for referring to Medina-Medina as an “illegal immigrant,” demonstrating how media sensitivity to terminology takes precedence over acknowledging the immigration status central to this preventable tragedy. For Gorman’s grieving family and fellow students at Loyola, Jeffries’ refusal to commit to deportation represents another blow from leaders who seem more concerned with protecting illegal immigrants than protecting American lives and upholding the rule of law.