NYS pols call to repeal ‘sanctuary’ policies after illegal migrant shoots girlfriend, her two teen sons in deadly attack: ‘Our broken immigration system’

A group of Westchester County politicians rallied on the eve of Election Day to denounce New York State’s “sanctuary” status following the arrest of an illegal migrant in a triple upstate shooting.

Speaking outside the Westchester County Jail, the group blamed the controversial designation for allowing Chilean national Fernando Andres Jimenez Meza to remain free for years after a drunken driving arrest — despite being sought by federal immigration authorities.

Last month, Jimenez Meza allegedly shot his girlfriend and her two teen sons in their Somers home, killing one of the boys before leading cops on a manhunt.

“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,” US Rep. Mike Lawler told reporters.

“He should have been handed over to ICE,” Lawler said. “Instead, Westchester County 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.”

State Assemblyman Matt Slater, who represents a portion of Northern Westchester, called the horrific case “completely unacceptable.”

“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 polices that [former] Gov. [Andrew] Cuomo implemented in New York State.”

Jimenez Meza, 40, entered the US illegally on Aug. 11, 2004, in Tecate, California, using the name Erik Melendez-Arellano, but was taken into custody and voluntarily deported.

But he re-entered the country and on Sept. 11, 2018, was arrested in Yonkers and charged with drunken driving. He was released after paying a $500 fine, according to records and sources.

Sources said he was also charged with assault at some point but that case is sealed.

Jimenez Meza is now charged with shooting his girlfriend, Christina Raimondi, and her two teen sons on Oct. 29 at their townhouse on Route 6 in Somers.

One boy, 15-year-old Michael, died, while his accused killer led cops on a massive manhunt before he was nabbed in Putnam County.

The case sparked outrage over the state’s sanctuary city status, which consists of a vow not to cooperate with federal immigration authorities in holding migrants wanted for deportation.

Albany adopted the policy as did New York City — and Westchester County, critics charge.

Passed in 2018, the county’s Immigrant Protection Act bars local authorities from providing federal officials with information that includes an individual’s national origin and other factors.

Yet, county officials contend it does not constitute a sanctuary policy.

“There is no sanctuary for Fernando Jimenez,” Westchester County Executive George Latimer said during a briefing on Monday. “He will face accountability for his actions. Anyone who says otherwise is not telling you the truth.”

But pols who rallied at the jail on Monday claim Jimenez Meza should have been behind bars.

“Why is this happening in Westchester County?” asked state Sen. Rob Rolison. “Why are policies that are being advanced from the county legislature and signed by this county executive impacting their public safety?

“This individual could commit a crime in Putnam, Dutchess, Orange — anywhere, because the was he was here and shouldn’t have been,” he said.

Yonkers police did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Jimenez Meza’s release after his 2018 arrest.