Lawler Slams Democrats for Dismissing Sheridan Gorman’s Murder and Defending Sanctuary Policies That Kill Americans at Hearing

Washington, D.C. - 6/30/26… Following today's House Judiciary Committee hearing, "Sanctuary Policies: Victims' Perspectives," Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) issued the following statement after introducing the mother of Sheridan Gorman, Jessica, as a witness:

"Today, Jessica Gorman sat before this committee, a grieving mother forced to share the most painful moment of her life, because her beautiful 20-year-old daughter Sheridan was shot and killed in Chicago by an illegal immigrant who should never have been in this country.

While Jessica showed extraordinary courage and strength, some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle could not hide their indifference. They dismissed the importance of this hearing. They said the details of Sheridan's murder were not relevant. They offered no real condolences and, worst of all, they continued to defend the sanctuary policies that enabled Sheridan's killer to remain on our streets.

Sanctuary cities and open border policies are not abstract political positions; they are deadly. They protect criminals at the expense of American families. Because Chicago refused to honor immigration detainers, a man who was caught at the border and later arrested for shoplifting was released back into the community, where he went on to murder an innocent young woman who went out with friends to see the Northern Lights.

I can't say it loud enough or clear enough, but we failed Jessica, Tom, and Madelon. No mother should ever have to bury her daughter because politicians chose open borders and sanctuary policies over public safety.

To every Democrat who shrugged off this hearing and continues to support these dangerous policies: the blood of Sheridan Gorman, Katie Abraham, and every other victim of sanctuary city failures is on your hands. Stop protecting criminal aliens. Stop putting illegal immigrants ahead of American citizens. End sanctuary cities now.

The same outrage you feel for Renee Good and Alex Pretti, you should feel for Sheridan Gorman and Laken Riley and all of the angel families.

I thank Jessica, Tom, and Madelon for being here today and for their strength and their advocacy to fight so that no other family has to go through what you are going through right now."

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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