Wisconsin Trooper Released from Detention After ICE Incident

Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, a state trooper in Wisconsin and a native of South Africa, was released late Friday night after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials at an airport on Thursday. Van Der Merwe was attempting to visit his parents when the incident occurred.

Background on Van Der Merwe

Van Der Merwe arrived in the United States in 2019 at the age of 14, settling in New Mexico where he completed high school. His attorney, Mark Christopher, stated that Van Der Merwe’s parents sought asylum, leading to his granting of work authorization due to the lengthy asylum process.

After his high school education, Van Der Merwe attended the New Mexico Military Institute. He aspired to join the U.S. military but was unable to enlist because of his immigration status. Nonetheless, he began serving as a state trooper in Wisconsin in July 2025 and has been authorized to work in the country.

Legal Challenges and Release

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated that Van Der Merwe had legal status to stay in the U.S. until September 2019 but subsequently overstayed his admission. Following discussions with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, he was released from detention with stipulations.

“It’s one of the more egregious and ridiculous cases I’ve ever come across,” remarked Attorney Christopher, expressing disbelief over the decision to detain Van Der Merwe. He emphasized that there seemed to be little public utility in detaining someone serving in a law enforcement capacity.

Current Status

Upon release, Van Der Merwe is now under an “order of supervision,” with specific conditions to be detailed in the coming weeks. His situation highlights the complexities and challenges faced by individuals with similar immigration backgrounds assimilating into American society while contributing positively as public servants.