WATCH: Angel mom asks lawmakers why illegal immigrants are ‘more important’ than Americans

The mother of an 18-year-old college student who was killed in March by an illegal gunman asked lawmakers Tuesday to look her in the eye and explain why “the people here are more important” than American citizens, giving emotional testimony during a hearing on sanctuary policies.

Jessica Gorman, whose daughter Sheridan Gorman was shot and killed after going to a Chicago lakefront with friends to see the Northern Lights, accused sanctuary city leaders and politicians of failing to protect her child during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on sanctuary policies.

“I want you to think about that little girl on the ‘buddy bench,’ that innocent college guy with a heart full of compassion and a head full of dreams who was shot by an illegal immigrant,” Gorman said. “I want you to think it was your daughter, not mine. What if it was yours?”

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Gorman’s comments came as he invoked a childhood story about Sheridan “stalking” the “buddy bench” during recess, waiting to help classmates who felt lonely or left out.

He lamented that his daughter, who spent her life making others visible, failed the people who protected her.

“I’m taking this back to the bench friend. I think Congress needs one. Yes, I think that every governor, every mayor, every sanctuary city official and every politician who removes suspicion and interest, hiding behind their slogans and their speeches should all sit together,” said Gorman.

“I challenge you all to sit down with me. Take my hand, look me in the eyes, and explain to me, because I just don’t understand. Explain why the people here illegally are more important than your American citizens. Explain why the sanctuary policies are more important than my Sheridan’s life. Explain why cooperating with ICE was too much to ask, but asking our American parents to bury our children needs something. I accept it in some way.“

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The man accused of killing a Loyola University freshman in a shooting in Rogers Park in March was found with a weapon at the jail, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office said. (Cook County Sheriff’s Office)

Gorman identified the man accused of killing her daughter as Jose Medina, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela who she said should not even be in this country. He said Medina had a prior criminal record and had an outstanding warrant before he was left on the streets of Chicago.

“But this story is not about him,” Gorman told law enforcement. “The story is about my Sheridan.”

The hearings focused on sanctuary processes and whether authorities that limit cooperation with transportation authorities put Americans at risk. Republicans say those policies allow illegal immigrants to be returned to communities instead of being turned over to ICE, while Democrats push back against the policies maintaining trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement.

Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., who chairs the subcommittee, opened the hearing by saying Republicans will continue to single out victims’ families until sanctuary policies are “fixed.” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the ranking member, offered her condolences to Gorman and another witness whose daughter was killed, but she criticized the hearing as the committee’s fourth on sanctuary cities and said Democrats should examine the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

Gorman, an 18-year-old student at Loyola University Chicago, was shot and killed on March 19. He was walking along the boardwalk at Tobey Prinz Beach with a group of friends when they encountered a masked man hiding behind a lighthouse. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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The trial heated up even before Gorman testified, when Rep. Mike Lawler, RN.Y., introduced him and was interrupted by Democrats who said his remarks had changed from an introduction to a broader speech on immigration policy.

Gorman later told attorneys that he never expected to become a public defender, but said his daughter’s death forced him to fight.

“I’m a lover, I’m not a fighter,” Gorman said. “I’m not a public speaker. I’m not a person who talks about things. I have to.”