ICE detains Wisconsin State Trooper, Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, who came to US legally as a child

Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, a 21-year-old Wisconsin State Trooper, is currently in federal immigration detention after being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a Wisconsin airport. The incident occurred on November 5, 2026, as Van Der Merwe was waiting to board a domestic flight. He was born in South Africa and legally immigrated to the United States as a child.

Van Der Merwe holds a federal work authorization card valid through 2030 and was working for the Wisconsin State Patrol when he was detained at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison. His attorney, Marc Christopher, stated that Van Der Merwe presented his work permit and an ongoing asylum application to ICE agents but was still arrested.

According to ICE, Van Der Merwe had overstayed his admission, as he was only permitted to remain in the country until September 2019. Despite presenting his documents, ICE agents reportedly informed Van Der Merwe that they "did not care" about his work permit and asylum application. Van Der Merwe's attorney confirmed that he came to the US legally from South Africa as a child, and his family followed the immigration process while waiting for an asylum interview.

The Wisconsin State Patrol confirmed Van Der Merwe's employment, noting that the agency allows non-US citizens with valid work authorization to serve as troopers.