Trump Honors Sheridan Gorman, Slams Open Borders
President Donald Trump honored Sheridan Gorman on Easter Sunday. He called her a “shining light” and expressed grief for a life cut short.
Sheridan was an 18-year-old Loyola University student. She was shot near campus in Rogers Park, Chicago. A masked gunman approached a group of students and opened fire. Sheridan was shot in the head and died at the scene.
Authorities say the suspect is a 25-year-old illegal alien from Venezuela who entered the US under the Biden administration. That fact has sharpened the debate over border security and sanctuary policies.
The Department of Homeland Security publicly slammed local leaders and the governor of Illinois. They put the blame on open-border policies and sanctuary politics that, they say, let this suspect back into the community.
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said: “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,”
She added: “We are calling on Governor Pritzker and Chicago’s sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this criminal illegal alien from jail back into American neighborhoods,” the DHS said.
President Donald Trump posted his tribute: “Such a shining light. Rest in peace, Sheridan, you will be greatly missed!!!”
The family of Sheridan issued a full statement and asked for answers and privacy. They described her as kind, faithful, and a light to everyone around her. Their words follow exactly as provided by ABC 7 Chicago:
“Our beloved daughter, Sheridan, was taken from us this morning in Chicago. There is no way to soften this-this was murder. Sheridan was the light of our lives. She made people feel seen, safe, and loved simply by being who she was. She lived her faith with kindness, compassion, and joy, and she loved her family and friends deeply.
We trusted that she would be safe. That trust was broken. Someone made a deliberate choice that stole our daughter and forever changed our family. We are demanding answers, and we will not stop until the person responsible is identified and brought to justice.
We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from the various communities connected to our family. It has carried us through moments we could not endure alone. We take comfort in our faith, but nothing can lessen the devastation of this loss.
If you know anything, please come forward. We ask for privacy as we grieve. Sheridan was our light. And she always will be.”
People are angry. They want safer streets. They want stronger borders. They want elected officials to stop making excuses and start protecting citizens and students.
Sheridan’s death is a tragedy. It’s also a political flashpoint. Expect calls for tougher immigration enforcement and an end to sanctuary practices to grow louder. Officials in Chicago and Springfield will face pressure to explain what happened and why.
Sheridan’s family wants justice. The country should want answers.