# Hochul dodges apology for immigrant crime victims

> Hochul avoids apologizing to families of people killed by illegal immigrants during debate.
- Title: Hochul dodges apology for immigrant crime victims · Fox News
- Summary: Hochul avoids apologizing to families of people killed by illegal immigrants during debate. New York Governor Hochul refused to apologize to families of…
- Keywords: kathy hochul, bruce blakeman, sheridan gorman, immigration and customs enforcement, nassau county executive, governor, new york, gubernatorial debate, sanctuary policy, ice shooting, news, politics
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/politics/hochul-dodges-pressed-over-victims-illegal-immigrant-crime-will-you-apologize
- Author: Kiera McDonald
- Published: 2026-10-14T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kathy hochul, bruce blakeman, sheridan gorman, immigration and customs enforcement, nassau county executive, governor, new york, gubernatorial debate, sanctuary policy, ice shooting, news, politics
## Hochul dodges apology
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declined to directly apologize to families of people killed by illegal immigrants after Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman confronted her during Tuesday night's gubernatorial debate.
## Blakeman's question
Blakeman asked Hochul to apologize to families who will never sit at Thanksgiving or open presents on Christmas, and to return Sheridan Gorman's parents' calls about sanctuary policy.
## Sheridan Gorman's death
Jose Medina-Medina, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, faces charges for the fatal shooting of Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago student.
## Hochul's response
Hochul called crimes 'heartbreaking,' said she abhors all crimes regardless of perpetrator, and claimed her administration spent billions to help law enforcement reduce crime.
## Hochul shifts to ICE
Hochul redirected the conversation to Americans killed by federal immigration agents, citing Renee Good and Alex Pretti's deaths in Minneapolis in January.
## Hochul's criticism
Hochul accused Blakeman of not having an answer for whether Pretti's death was justified, saying she found those answers 'reprehensible' and would apologize for any pain caused.
## Social media reaction
Critics on social media accused Hochul of not caring about victims, with posts calling her refusal to apologize 'insane,' 'disgusting,' and 'no ownership of sanctuary policies.'
## Key takeaway

New York Governor Hochul refused to apologize to families of victims killed by illegal immigrants during a gubernatorial debate.