Jessica Anne Gorman criticised Democratic lawmakers who support sanctuary-city policies after testifying about the death of her 18-year-old daughter, Sheridan, at a congressional hearing. She said lawmakers laughed and appeared dismissive while families described relatives killed in violent crimes, arguing that victims’ families deserved to be heard.

Sheridan Gorman was shot in Chicago in March 2026, and Jose Medina, a Venezuelan national who prosecutors say entered the United States illegally and had previously been released after a shoplifting arrest, faces a murder charge. The event also featured Stephen Federico, whose daughter Logan was allegedly killed by a US-born career criminal with dozens of prior arrests; he blamed failures involving fingerprints, court processes, judges and prosecutors. Jayapal’s office was contacted for comment, according to Fox News.