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By: Meyer Wolfsheim
A group of Westchester County officials gathered outside the county jail Monday to condemn New York State’s “sanctuary” policies, which they argue allowed a violent illegal migrant to remain in the community before allegedly committing a brutal shooting last month.
The group, speaking just ahead of Election Day, blamed the policies for keeping Fernando Andres Jimenez Meza, a Chilean national, in the country despite a history of criminal behavior, according to the NY Post.
The recent case involves Jimenez Meza, who was accused of shooting his girlfriend, Christina Raimondi, and her two teenage sons at their home in Somers, New York, on October 29. One of the teens, 15-year-old Michael, was fatally shot, sparking outrage among the community and local politicians, as reported by the NY Post.
Jimenez Meza allegedly fled the scene, triggering a police manhunt that ended with his capture in Putnam County.
Representative Mike Lawler led the group in calling for an end to the state’s sanctuary laws, arguing that Jimenez Meza could have been deported after his arrest for drunk driving in Yonkers in 2018, but was instead released without being turned over to federal authorities. “The suspect in this horrific crime… could have and should have been deported long ago after his arrest for drunk driving in Yonkers in 2018,” Lawler told reporters, as quoted by the NY Post.
“Instead, Westchester County’s sanctuary status prevents law enforcement from coordinating with federal immigration authorities. As a result, a violent criminal was protected from deportation and remained in our community.”
Westchester County Assemblyman Matt Slater joined Lawler in condemning the policies, calling the situation “completely unacceptable” and urging for immediate repeal of sanctuary policies at the local, county, and state levels. “Every minute that passes that we don’t take action as a state to put an end to these policies, we are creating more victims,” Slater said. “It’s time that we repeal the sanctuary policies in New York City, the sanctuary policies in Westchester, and the sanctuary policies that former Governor Andrew Cuomo implemented in New York State.”
Jimenez Meza initially entered the U.S. illegally in 2004 but was apprehended and deported soon after, according to NY Post reports. He re-entered the country and, on September 11, 2018, was arrested by state police in Yonkers for drunken driving. Despite this, he paid a $500 fine and was released.
Sources told the NY Post that he was later charged with assault, though details about that arrest remain sealed.
The tragic shooting in Somers has reignited debate over New York’s sanctuary status, which restricts cooperation with federal immigration authorities regarding the detention of undocumented individuals facing deportation orders. Critics argue that the 2018 Westchester County Immigrant Protection Act—which prohibits local authorities from sharing information about individuals’ national origin with federal agencies—has essentially created a “sanctuary county” by shielding undocumented immigrants from deportation.
However, Westchester County Executive George Latimer defended the policy, stating that it doesn’t amount to a “sanctuary policy” as critics suggest. “There is no sanctuary for Fernando Jimenez,” Latimer said during a Monday briefing, as noted by the NY Post. “He will face accountability for his actions. Anyone who says otherwise is not telling you the truth.”
Nevertheless, state Senator Rob Rolison and other officials insisted that the sanctuary policies undermine public safety. “Why is this happening in Westchester County?” Rolison asked, as cited by the NY Post.
