Political battles over immigration policies ensue as officials say suspect in Somers triple shooting was illegal immigrant
Several officials and candidates have issued press releases stating local and federal immigration policies ultimately allowed Monday's tragedy in Somers to happen.
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News about a triple shooting suspect's illegal immigration status has triggered a political campaign by Republicans against federal and local immigration policies and their Democratic opponents.
Several officials and candidates have issued press releases stating the policies ultimately allowed Monday's tragedy in Somers to happen.
A spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told News 12 Thursday murder suspect Fernando Andres Jimenez Meza has been in the country illegally.
Police said Jimenez shot a woman and her two teenaged sons Monday and fled before being arrested Tuesday in Putnam County.
One of the teens, a high school sophomore, died.
The ICE spokesperson said Border Patrol officers detained Jimenez in 2004 in Tecate, California and that he provided a false name, he falsely claimed he was from Mexico, he was voluntarily deported and he illegally returned at some point.
Jimenez is a Chilean citizen, ICE said.
"I'm against illegal immigration," Yasmin Melo, a neighbor of the victims, said. "Whatever the reasons are for everybody, just wait your turn. I cannot express how angry I am. That's something that should not have happened."
Officials said Jimenez had previously been arrested for at least one offense in Westchester County.
"In this case, the district attorney's office is fully prosecuting this criminal act to the fullest extent of the law," said a spokesperson for the Westchester County government.
Republican officials and candidates immediately began criticizing federal and county immigration policies and their Democratic opponents.
"It happened precisely because Kathy Hochul and Democrats in New York refuse to cooperate with ICE," Rep. Mike Lawler wrote in an email, referencing sanctuary policies which may limit communication with ICE about undocumented immigrants.
Erika Verde, a neighbor who heard the commotion Monday, did not make the same connection Lawler and other Republicans are making.
"Not at all. I don't think so," Verde said. "I mean, that's my opinion. I honestly don't know. I just don't think so."
Catherine Cioffi, communications director for Westchester County Executive George Latimer countered the political statements by Republicans.
"There is not 'sanctuary policy' in Westchester County," she wrote in a text message. "We work cooperatively with ICE. In this case, the District Attorney's office is fully prosecuting this criminal act to the fullest extent of the law. Our commitment has always been to public safety.
