Chicago Unveils 'Abolish ICE' Plow Amid Furor Over Student's Killing
Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled a snowplow named 'Abolish ICE' and defended sanctuary policies after the March 19 killing of Loyola student Sheridan Gorman, reigniting a national immigration debate.
The Post MillennialBrandon Johnson says murder of Sheridan Gorman by illegal immigrant suspect will not stop Chicago’s anti-ICE policies
TownhallLoyola University Paper Apologizes for Calling Murder Suspect an 'Illegal Immigrant'
FOX NewsChicago Mayor Johnson unveils 'Abolish ICE' snowplow days after student allegedly murdered by illegal migrant
RedStateChicago Mayor Pulls Unbelievably Cruel Anti-ICE Stunt Mocking the Murder of Sheridan Gorman
Overview
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled a snowplow named "Abolish ICE" and said he will continue opposing federal immigration enforcement despite the killing of Sheridan Gorman.
Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old Loyola University student, was shot and killed on March 19, and authorities charged Jose G. Medina, a Venezuelan migrant U.S. Border Patrol captured May 9, 2023 and later released, in the case.
The Department of Homeland Security said ICE lodged a detainer request urging Illinois officials not to release Medina, and Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis publicly called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago officials to keep him detained.
The "You Name a Plow" contest drew roughly 13,000 to 13,300 submissions, and about 9,300 entries—roughly 70%—chose "Abolish ICE" amid months of federal immigration arrests, protests and clashes that included the deaths of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez and wounding of Marimar Martinez.
The killing has prompted Republican calls to repeal the TRUST Act and SAFE-T Act, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said failures extend beyond Illinois and blamed national policy gaps, and the case has renewed debate over federal versus local roles in immigration enforcement.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the snowplow unveiling as a symbolic clash between immigrant-rights activism and public-safety concerns. Editorial choices—repeating "Abolish ICE," foregrounding protests and federal agent actions, juxtaposing the unveiling with a recent fatal shooting, and highlighting a heckler’s rebuke—shape a narrative of civic tension rather than neutral civic trivia.
FAQ
Sheridan Gorman was an 18-year-old Loyola University student shot and killed on March 19. Jose G. Medina, a Venezuelan migrant, was charged in the case.
Jose G. Medina is a Venezuelan migrant captured by U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and later released. ICE issued a detainer request for him that Illinois officials did not honor.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled a snowplow named 'Abolish ICE' from the 'You Name a Plow' contest, which received about 13,000 submissions, with roughly 70% or 9,300 entries choosing that name.
The name 'Abolish ICE' was selected amid months of federal immigration arrests, protests, clashes, and incidents including deaths and woundings related to immigration enforcement.
The killing prompted Republican calls to repeal the TRUST Act and SAFE-T Act. Gov. J.B. Pritzker blamed national policy gaps, while DHS urged detention of Medina.