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More than a week has passed since the Department of Homeland Security disclosed that Sheridan Gorman, a freshman at Loyola University Chicago, was tragically murdered by an undocumented immigrant. Despite this, the university’s student newspaper still features a tracker for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities, encouraging individuals to report ICE presence in the area.
The editorial staff of the Loyola Phoenix announced last October that it had created a map to track ICE activities, soliciting tips about those activities from readers and the public at large. The tracker is highly-touted on the newspaper’s Instagram page, and is pinned to the top of the organization’s profile.
The publication explains its rationale: “While social media rapidly disseminates information, it can also spread falsehoods. As student journalists, we aim to provide a centralized and reliable platform for documenting verified ICE sightings during this significant period.”
The announcement goes on to detail, “The Phoenix has developed a map to mark locations where ICE agents are spotted. Anyone can submit sightings, which we will verify before sharing on our social media channels and website.”
Sheridan Gorman, originally from New York, was reportedly just months away from finishing her freshman year at Loyola University Chicago in Illinois. (Image courtesy of Sheridan G. Gorman via Instagram)
The 18-year-old was fatally shot in the early hours of March 19 while spending time with friends at a pier in Chicago’s Roger’s Park neighborhood. According to DHS, Jose Medina-Medina, a 25-year-old undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, allegedly fired the fatal shot that ended the young student’s life.
Medina-Medina was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and was released into the U.S. under the Biden administration, according to DHS.
Earlier this week, The Loyola Phoenix found itself in hot water after activists badgered the paper about using the term “illegal immigrant” in a story and the word “immigrant” in the headline.
The paper’s editorial staff swiftly apologized and updated the language, dropping the relevant information about Medina-Medina’s immigration status.
Jose Medina-Medina, a Venezuelan national, was also arrested for shoplifting and released before the alleged murder, DHS confirmed. (DHS)
A long editor’s note in the body of the article, originally titled “Immigrant Man Charged in Murder of Sheridan Gorman, DHS Involved,” explained that those terms were improper.
“That headline didn’t reflect the most important elements in the story, and it was taken down minutes later to prevent any further harm to affected community members,” the editor’s note said.
“Additionally, in the body of the original post, we described the man who was charged as an ‘illegal immigrant,’ using language provided by the Department of Homeland Security,” it said. “That language does not align with Associated Press style, nor does it align with the values of this newspaper.”
“No human’s existence is illegal, and we quickly changed our wording to reflect that.”
The note conceded that the story’s language caused harm.
Police take two people into custody, as tear gas fills the air after it was used by federal law enforcement agents who were being confronted by community members and activists for reportedly shooting a woman in the Brighton Park neighborhood on October 4, 2025, in Broadview, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“We acknowledge the harm such language can cause and the power and importance of the words we choose to use,” the note said. “We deeply regret these errors, and we’re committed to continuing the high standards we hold for ourselves as journalists and members of the Loyola, Rogers Park and Chicago communities.”
The alleged murder has caused a political uproar, as the Gorman family and local and federal officials have blasted Chicago and the state of Illinois for their pronounced refusal to cooperate with federal immigration officials.
Gorman’s family wrote a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, D-Ill. and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson demanding accountability.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks during a press conference announcing the top-voted name in the city’s 2026 “You Name a Snowplow” contest, “Abolish ICE.” (Erin Hooley/AP)
“What happened to Sheridan cannot be reduced to a ‘senseless tragedy,’ nor can it be explained in general terms about public safety. Sheridan was our daughter. She was 18 years old. She was doing something entirely normal—walking near her campus with friends. She should be here,” the family said.
“Calling this ‘senseless’ is not enough. There must be a clear and honest accounting of what went wrong,” the family added. “We will not allow Sheridan’s life to be reduced to a talking point or a generalization. We expect leadership that is willing to confront hard truths and ensure that what happened to her does not happen again.”
Neither The Loyola Phoenix nor Loyola University Chicago returned requests for comment.