Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee are raising concerns after documents indicated that a migrant later charged in the killing of an 18-year-old Chicago student was released into the United States by border officials “due to lack of space.”

As Fox News reported, the suspect, 25-year-old Jose Medina-Medina, is an illegal immigrant from Venezuela who entered the country under the Biden administration.

He now faces state and federal charges in connection with the March 19 killing of Sheridan Gorman in Chicago. The charges include first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and illegal possession of a firearm.

Sheridan Gorman was failed by open-border policies and sanctuary politicians who RELEASED this illegal alien TWICE before he carried out this heinous murder.

On May 9, 2023, Medina-Medina was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol and released into the country under the Biden… pic.twitter.com/s6v57GPwyu

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 23, 2026

The case has drawn attention in Washington and Chicago, with critics pointing to the circumstances surrounding Medina-Medina’s release and broader policies affecting enforcement.

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According to excerpts of what were described as court documents shared Tuesday by Judiciary Committee Republicans on X, a Border Patrol agent documented Medina-Medina’s encounter with authorities in the El Paso sector.

The documents state that Medina-Medina told officials he did not fear harm or persecution if returned to Venezuela.

“The subject was asked and responded that they do not fear harm or persecution should they be returned to their home country,” the document states.

The same excerpts indicate that officials assessed Medina-Medina as someone who might not comply with future proceedings.

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The document notes that Medina-Medina “has close family ties or roots in this country, yet are likely to abscond.”

Despite those findings, the documents show that Medina-Medina was “processed for a Notice to Appear and released on recognizance … due to lack of space.”

House Judiciary Committee Republicans said the case raises questions about how decisions are made when processing individuals at the border.

“Democrats knew this man was dangerous and had no legitimate asylum claim. But they still released him,” the committee Republicans wrote.

In a separate post, they added, “The criminal alien who killed college student Sheridan Gorman: -Apprehended at the border by the Biden Administration in 2023 -Released two weeks later -Noted by officials as ‘likely to abscond’ and had no verifiable contact information.”

The killing has also renewed debate over sanctuary policies in cities such as Chicago. Critics argue that such policies limit cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement.

Federal prosecutors recently added an additional charge against Medina-Medina related to illegal possession of a firearm.

According to a charging document, the weapon allegedly used in the shooting was purchased illegally around February 6, 2008, from a Federal Firearms Licensee in Montgomery, Alabama.

Chicago-based criminal defense attorney Donna Rotunno told Fox News Digital that federal involvement in the case may reflect concerns about how the case could proceed at the state level.

"Blue cities historically are lighter in their prosecutions. We have already heard that this person was of diminished capacity, so we are probably going to see some defense in regard to that," Rotunno said.

"My guess is the feds wanted to jump in so they can have some control over the fate of the defendant."

Medina-Medina remains in custody as the case moves forward in both state and federal court systems.

Sheridan Gorman was failed by open-border policies and sanctuary politicians who RELEASED this illegal alien TWICE before he carried out this heinous murder.

On May 9, 2023, Medina-Medina was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol and released into the country under the Biden… pic.twitter.com/s6v57GPwyu

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 23, 2026

Fox News Digital reported that it reached out to Judiciary Committee Democrats for comment but did not receive a response.

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