Wisconsin state trooper detained by ICE

Key Points:

• Wisconsin state trooper Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, 21, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Dane County Regional Airport during a targeted operation and is now held in an immigration detention center in Dodge County.
• Van Der Merwe, originally from South Africa, legally entered the U.S. as a child and has been awaiting an asylum interview for seven years; he holds federal work authorization valid until 2030 and is included on his father's pending asylum application.
• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims Van Der Merwe overstayed his authorized admission, which expired in September 2019, and is currently in ICE custody pending removal proceedings, emphasizing that work authorization does not grant legal status.
• Van Der Merwe became a Wisconsin state trooper a year ago, having graduated from New Mexico Military Institute with a criminal justice degree, and his attorney argues that ICE's detention contradicts his role in upholding the law.
• Attorney Marc Christopher is seeking Van Der Merwe's release on bond and urges DHS and Wisconsin's congressional representatives to review the detention decision, while the Wisconsin State Patrol has not responded to inquiries about the case.