Arrest in Loyola killing fuels sanctuary debate
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The arrest of a Venezuelan immigrant for last week's killing of Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman is reigniting debate over sanctuary policies in Chicago and Illinois.
Backstory: Chicago police on Sunday announced the arrest of a 25-year-old suspect, identified by the Department of Homeland Security as Jose Medina.
- DHS says Medina entered the U.S. in May 2023 and was arrested for shoplifting the following month.
- Federal officials have issued an immigration detainer — a request to hold suspects for transfer to immigration authorities — and urged Illinois officials not to release him.
Reality check: Medina would likely remain in custody regardless.
- Cook County prosecutors typically seek detention in all first-degree murder cases per a 2024 policy.
- Illinois' Trust Act prohibits local law enforcement from holding someone solely on an immigration detainer.
Between the lines: The case is quickly becoming a political flashpoint, with national and local leaders using it to argue over immigration enforcement and sanctuary laws.
What they're saying: "This person came in through the open door policy of Joe Biden and we have others," President Trump told reporters Monday.
- "We're taking them out by the tens of thousands. We're doing a great job, but it's a shame."
- Gorman's family issued a statement saying they were "gravely disappointed by the policies and failures that allowed this individual to remain in a position to commit this crime."
- Ald. Ray Lopez, who has pushed to change Chicago's sanctuary policies, told NewsNation Sunday that the killing was "100% avoidable."
The other side: Gov. JB Pritzker's office pushed back on politicizing the case.
- "Violent crime has no place in our streets, and we expect the alleged perpetrator to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," Pritzker's office tells Axios.
- The statement also called on federal officials to focus on "real solutions," including restoring funding for violence prevention.
The latest: Medina was scheduled for a Monday detention hearing that was canceled because of his hospitalization for unknown causes.
- A new hearing has yet to be rescheduled.