WATCH: Dems unclear on whether or not alleged unlawful immigrant assassin ought to’ve been deported

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Whereas Republican senators, like Texas' Ted Cruz and Florida's Rick Scott, had been fast to sentence the insurance policies that stored the illegal immigrant killer of 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman from being deported, Democratic senators dodged questions on whether or not Gorman's killer ought to have beforehand been deported previous to this month's homicide.

Gorman, who was a scholar at Loyola College of Chicago on the time of her demise, was allegedly killed by an unlawful immigrant from Venezuela, Jose Medina, 25. Medina was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol on Could 9, 2023, however was subsequently launched into the U.S. below the Biden administration, in accordance with Trump's Department of Homeland Security.

A short while later, Medina was arrested for shoplifting in Chicago, however was once more launched on June 19, 2023, DHS mentioned. A choose put a warrant out on Medina after he failed to seem in court docket for his shoplifting cost, which was nonetheless energetic on the time of Gorman's killing, in accordance with the Chicago Solar Instances.

"Shoplifting in and of itself will not be a violent crime. It is not an indicator of an individual that is leaning towards violent crime," mentioned Sen. Dick Durbin, D-In poor health., when requested about Medina's case and whether or not he ought to've been deported previous to Gorman's homicide.

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Sheridan Gorman (L) was allegedly murdered by Jose Medina (R) (Sheridan Gorman/Instagram and Prepare dinner County Sheriff's Workplace)

"You are asking me to take a position on a bunch of issues and I can not reply that," mentioned Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto, D-Nev., when requested if Gorman's killer, and different unlawful immigrant murderers who had vital felony data on the time of their arrests, ought to have been deported earlier than folks bought harm. "I do not know the circumstances. I belief our justice system to do the suitable factor and maintain folks accountable."

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-In poor health., responded that the Trump administration's broad deportation crackdowns have prevented federal legislation enforcement from focusing on genuinely harmful folks, an argument pushed by different high Democrats in Congress. "I feel that if Trump cleared out Chicago and if ICE did their job, he would not be right here, proper?" Duckworth mentioned as she bought onto an elevator on Capitol Hill. "However they deported people who find themselves not… [unintelligible]."

In the meantime, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., provided a extra even handed response, but additionally advised the fashion by which the Trump administration is deporting folks is problematic.

"Do I feel violent criminals must be deported? Sure," Slotkin mentioned, including it's an "simple" name to deport somebody who has been "accused and correctly prosecuted." However, Slotkin added, "Harmless civilians who're protesting their authorities and utilizing their freedom of speech shouldn't be fingered and booted out."

Democrats who spoke with Fox Information Digital did shortly agree that violent criminals who entered and are residing within the nation unlawfully must be deported.

From left to proper: Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Sen. Dick Durbin, D-In poor health., Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-In poor health., and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev. (Getty Photos)

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"Anyone who violates, or creates crime on this nation – significantly kills someone – shouldn't solely be held accountable in the USA, however, sure, there must be immigration enforcement towards that particular person," Cortez-Masto mentioned.

"Each neighborhood deserves to really feel secure, and I feel individuals who commit violent crimes shouldn't be allowed to both be in our nation, or to be amongst our communities," added Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md.

Durbin, in the meantime, certified his feedback about Medina's shoplifting cost by admitting "We must do a cautious examination of individuals coming into this nation and those that need to keep on this nation," including that, "If they're harmful to the neighborhood, they should be denied entry or taken in a foreign country later."

However Republican Senators Cruz and Scott had been fast to bash Democrats for allegedly caring extra about unlawful immigrants than Americans.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) holds a press convention with households who misplaced family members within the January 29, 2025 DCA aircraft crash on December 15, 2025 on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. (Heather Diehl/Getty Photos)

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"It is tragic and it was avoidable," Cruz mentioned when approached about Gorman's demise and Medina not being deported. "The Democrats are so radical they prioritize illegal immigrants over Americans."

"It is disgusting that these folks say, ‘Oh, they act like they care about People.’ However you then take a look at their actions – they care about people who find themselves right here violently hurting People," Scott complained.