Wisconsin Congressmen want answers about Dane County’s ‘non-cooperation’ policy

(The Center Square) – Two of Wisconsin’s Republican congressmen want answers from Dane County’s sheriff about how a wanted illegal immigrant was able to commit another crime in another part of the state.

U.S. Reps. Tom Tiffany and Derrick Van Orden sent a letter this week to Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett asking about Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate.

“As you know, Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, a Venezuelan migrant and known gang member, was charged with domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and strangulation by the Prairie du Chien Police Department. What is perhaps more troubling, however, is that at the time of his arrest, Mr. Coronel Zarate reportedly already had active warrants in Dane County for similar offenses, including false imprisonment and battery,” the two wrote in their letter. “Given that Dane County was classified as ‘non-cooperative’ with federal immigration authorities as recently as June of this year by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, we are writing to ask for additional information regarding Dane County law enforcement’s interaction with Mr. Coronel Zarate.”

Prairie du Chien police say Coronel Zarate is suspected of being a member of the Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua. He is accused of assaulting a woman and injuring a child.

Tiffany took to social media Tuesday to question if the attack in Prairie du Chien could have been avoided.

“He already had a warrant in Dane County. They don't cooperate with ICE,” he wrote. “Could this have been prevented if they weren't a sanctuary county?”

Tiffany and Van Orden also asked a couple of questions in their letter to Dane County’s sheriff.

● Does Dane County still maintain a “non-cooperation” policy, or any other policy that in any way limits or restricts communication or coordination with ICE?

● Prior to the incident in Prairie du Chien, was Mr. Coronel Zarate ever arrested or detained by Dane County law enforcement?

● If so, did Dane County ever notify ICE officials that Mr. Coronel Zarate was in custody?

● Did your agency, at any time, receive an immigration detainer request from ICE officials regarding Mr. Coronel Zarate?

● If so, did Dane County honor that detainer and attempt to turn Mr. Coronel Zarate over to ICE?

Coronel Zarate is currently in the Crawford County Jail. There is an ICE detainment order for him.