ICE Asks Illinois Governor Not to Release Criminal Alien Accused of Murder

DHS Press Releases

Filed March 22nd, 2026

Detected March 23rd, 2026

Summary

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged an arrest detainer requesting that Illinois officials not release Jose Medina-Medina, a Venezuelan national described as a criminal illegal alien, who is accused of murdering an 18-year-old college student in Chicago. The individual had previously been released by local authorities after an arrest for shoplifting.

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What changed

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued an arrest detainer for Jose Medina-Medina, a Venezuelan national identified as a criminal illegal alien, who is accused of the murder of an 18-year-old student in Chicago. The detainer requests that sanctuary politicians, specifically Governor Pritzker, not release Medina-Medina, who had previously been arrested for shoplifting and subsequently released by local authorities. This action highlights ICE's efforts to ensure individuals accused of serious crimes, particularly those who are undocumented, are detained and processed for removal rather than being released back into communities.

This press release serves as a public notification and a direct appeal to state and local officials regarding the detention of a high-risk individual. Compliance officers should note the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement priorities and sanctuary city policies. While this is an enforcement action and not a rule, it underscores the importance of understanding and adhering to federal detainer requests, even when local policies may differ. The incident implies potential consequences for jurisdictions that do not honor such detainers, though specific penalties are not detailed in this release.

What to do next

Review ICE detainer policies and procedures
Assess current state and local policies regarding cooperation with federal immigration enforcement

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ICE Asks Governor Pritzker and Chicago Sanctuary Politicians to Not Release Criminal Illegal Alien Accused of Killing 18-Year-Old Loyola College Student

ICE Asks Governor Pritzker and Chicago Sanctuary Politicians to Not Release Criminal Illegal Alien Accused of Killing 18-Year-Old Loyola College Student

Release Date: March 22, 2026
Jose Medina-Medina was previously RELEASED after an arrest for shoplifting in Chicago

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainer asking sanctuary politicians to not release Jose Medina-Medina, a Venezuelan criminal illegal alien arrested for killing 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman in Chicago, Illinois.

According to local reports, 18-year-old Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman was shot and killed on Thursday morning around 1:00 am while she was walking in a park with friends. Medina-Medina is accused of approaching her while wearing a mask and armed with a gun. As she attempted to flee, he fired his gun and shot her. Gorman was shot and pronounced dead at the scene.

Sheridan Gorman

On May 9, 2023, Medina-Medina was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol and released into the country under the Biden administration. He was then released again on June 19, 2023, following an arrest for shoplifting in Chicago, Illinois.

Jose Medina-Medina

“Sheridan Gorman had her whole life ahead of her before this cold-blooded killer decided to end her life. She was failed by open border policies and sanctuary politicians who RELEASED this illegal alien *TWICE** before he went on to commit this heinous murder,”* said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “We are calling on Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago’s sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this *criminal illegal alien** from jail back into American neighborhoods.”*

In December 2025, ICE Director Todd Lyons sent a letter to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul calling on him to put the safety of Americans first and honor ICE arrest detainers of the more than 4,000 criminal illegal aliens in the state’s custody including murderers, sexual predators, and those convicted of or charged with weapons offenses.

DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.