Wisconsin County Faces Federal Pressure Over Illegal Immigrant Accused of Assaulting Elderly Victims

Clear Facts

• Julio Cesar Morales-Jarquin, 31, a Nicaraguan national, faces two counts of second-degree sexual assault against elderly victims at a Wisconsin care facility
• ICE issued a detainer request on April 27, but Dane County has a history of refusing to honor such requests, sometimes giving ICE only 30 minutes to take custody
• Morales-Jarquin entered the U.S. in 2023 under Biden’s humanitarian parole program for Nicaragua and remained unlawfully after the program ended

The Department of Homeland Security is demanding that Dane County, Wisconsin officials keep an illegal immigrant in custody after he was charged with sexually assaulting elderly residents at a care facility. The case highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local sanctuary policies.

Julio Cesar Morales-Jarquin, 31, remains in local custody facing two counts of second-degree sexual assault of elderly victims. Police arrested him last month after a residential care facility in Fitchburg, Wisconsin reported that an employee may have assaulted vulnerable residents.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a detainer request on April 27, asking local authorities to maintain custody of Morales-Jarquin so federal agents could take him into custody for deportation proceedings. However, DHS officials expressed concern that Dane County, which they describe as a sanctuary jurisdiction, would not honor the request.

According to federal authorities, the county has previously given ICE as little as 30 minutes to take custody of individuals held in its jail, making it nearly impossible for agents to respond in time.

“This illegal alien is charged with two counts of sexual assault of an elderly victim at an assisted living facility,” Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement.

“This dirtbag was released into the country by the Biden Administration. DHS is calling on sanctuary politicians in Dane County, Wisconsin to NOT release this criminal from jail back onto the streets to commit more crimes.”

Federal records show Morales-Jarquin entered the United States in 2023 under the Biden administration’s humanitarian parole program for Nicaragua. Although the program was later terminated, he remained in the country unlawfully, according to DHS.

The humanitarian parole program allowed tens of thousands of migrants from Nicaragua and other countries to enter the U.S. without traditional visa requirements. Critics argued the program created security vulnerabilities and enabled illegal immigration by allowing individuals to remain after their authorized periods expired.

Bis emphasized the need for local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

“We need Wisconsin sanctuary politicians to cooperate with us to remove criminals from our country,” she added.

The confrontation between DHS and Dane County reflects a broader national debate over sanctuary policies. Supporters of such policies argue they protect immigrant communities and allow local law enforcement to maintain trust with residents. Opponents contend these policies shield dangerous criminals from deportation and endanger American communities.

The case also raises questions about the vetting procedures used in the Biden administration’s parole programs. Conservative lawmakers have long criticized these programs as inadequate safeguards against allowing criminals and security threats into the country.

Dane County officials have not yet publicly responded to DHS’s statement or indicated whether they will honor the detainer request.

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