Released illegal immigrant had record

An illegal immigrant taken into custody after a traffic stop in Beaver Meadows on May 2 but released on orders from federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had been arrested before the recent incident.

State Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Butler Township, said she discovered the man was charged with harassment by state police at Hazleton in 2008.

Three years ago, Oswaldo Tlalmis-Perez, 27, of West Hazleton, was cited for harassment after he allegedly struck a woman in the face, giving her a bloody lip, during an argument at Sixth and Spruce streets, according to state police. After being struck, the woman left her vehicle and asked a passing motorist to call police. Tlalmis-Perez allegedly left the scene before officers arrived but was later charged.

Toohil said she discovered the 2008 incident on the advice of a constituent.

"I've had more than 50 calls and emails about this case," said Toohil, who joined her colleague, state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Lower Towamensing Township, in Beaver Meadows last week to say they will challenge ICE on why Tlalmis-Perez was released. "Some of the calls I received were from outside the district."

When he was apprehended in Beaver Meadows earlier this month, Tlalmis-Perez, now 30, had in his possession two Access cards, which carry electronic food stamps used to buy food and other necessities.

"At first, the report said he had two Access cards from different states, but then I heard the cards were both from Pennsylvania, under different names," Toohil said. "He also had $3,000 in cash. But ICE said his case was not a high-priority case. But this is obviously not someone who is contributing to society."

In the days after the recent arrest, ICE Northeast Regional Communications Director Michael Gilhooly said "ICE has the pertinent information on the individual to follow up at a later time."

"As the subject was not arrested and charged with a crime by the local department, did not have a criminal record and is not a fugitive from ICE, the subject was not a priority case and a detainer was not placed," Gilhooly said.

jdino@standardspeaker.com