Venezuelan migrant charged with killing Sheridan Gorman told Biden admin he was not seeking asylum at border—was released into US anyway

The Venezuelan illegal immigrant charged with killing college student Sheridan Gorman admitted to the Biden administration when crossing the southern border that he was not seeking asylum and did not fear returning to his home country, but was still released into the US.

Jose Medina crossed the border between Mexico and Texas in 2023 without identification and acknowledged to Border Patrol agents that he did not have a valid asylum claim. According to internal Border Patrol documents shared by the House Judiciary Committee, Medina said he had no fear or concerns about returning to Venezuela.

Border Patrol officers also noted concerns that Medina would likely disappear into the US if released. Despite this, he was processed and released into the US, where he failed to appear for his immigration hearings and has now come up on murder charges.

House Judiciary Committee Republicans said Medina was released "due to lack of space." Document excerpts released by the committee stated that "the subject was asked and responded that they do not fear harm or persecution should they be returned to their home country." They also noted that Medina "has close family ties or roots in this country yet are likely to abscond." Still, Medina was processed for a notice to appear and released on recognizance “due to a lack of space.”

"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," committee Republicans said.

Medina is accused of fatally shooting 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman at Rogers Park in Chicago on March 19. Federal prosecutors have charged him with illegal possession of a firearm. He also faces state charges that include murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and illegal possession of a weapon. Medina is scheduled to be arraigned on April 29.