Republican lawmakers are demanding Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to explain the case of Tomaz Tomas Martinez-Maldonado, an undocumented immigrant who has been deported 10 times from the U.S. Despite having a vast criminal background, which includes the rape of a 13-year-old girl in Kansas last year, Martinez-Maldonado still manages to return to the U.S.
The alleged rape occurred in September of last year in Geary County. According to reports, Martinez-Maldonado raped the victim while on board a Greyhound Bus. Upon viewing his records, investigators learned that he was already found guilty of multiple crimes in different states during the past years.
Even worse, documents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed that since 2003, Martinez-Maldonado has been deported back to Mexico 10 times already. In addition, he was also voluntarily removed from the U.S. for nine times already.
However, despite his immigration status and long list of convictions, Martinez-Maldonado still finds his way back to the country. In a letter sent by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran, they questioned Johnson and the DHS regarding Martinez-Maldonado’s questionable status.
Among the list of questions submitted by the Senators, probably the most glaring one was how Martinez-Maldonado was able to return to the country despite his felony records numerous deportation orders.
“This is an extremely disturbing case,” the senators wrote in the letter according to Law Newz. “In order for Congress to better understand the circumstances that led to this alleged rape of a child, we request information about Martinez-Maldonado’s criminal and immigration history, and why he was able to enter and remain in the country despite his unlawful status.”
Although Johnson has not yet responded to the letter sent by the senators, one possible reason why Martinez-Maldonado was able to return to the U.S. despite getting deported was due to the assistance provided to him by immigration attorney David Trevino.
Trevino admitted that he has helped the immigrant’s family in the past but noted that he is not involved in his rape case. But, as an immigration attorney, Trevino is responsible for helping Martinez-Maldonado’s family settle in the U.S. He even previously said that if President-elect Donald Trump builds the border wall, illegal immigrants will still find a way to go to the U.S. if they have family members already living there.
