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Wisconsin State Trooper Detained by ICE at Dane County Airport Released Under Federal Supervision
Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper and South African national, was released from ICE custody Friday after his arrest at Dane County Regional Airport, but will remain under federal monitoring as his immigration case proceeds.
MADISON, Wis. â A Wisconsin State Patrol trooper arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Dane County Regional Airport was released from federal custody Friday, his attorney confirmed, but he will remain under federal supervision while his immigration case continues.
The trooper was identified by the Department of Homeland Security as Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, a South African national. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation confirmed he has worked for the State Patrol since July 13, 2025.
DHS described the Nov. 5 arrest as a targeted enforcement operation. The agency said Van Der Merwe entered the United States legally in March 2019 with permission to stay until September of that year but overstayed his admission.
His attorney, Marc Christopher, said Van Der Merwe came to the country legally as a child and is included on his father's pending asylum application. Christopher said the family has waited seven years for an asylum interview and that Van Der Merwe holds federal work authorization through 2030.
"To be clear: work authorization or a pending application do not confer legal status in the U.S.," a DHS spokesperson said.
Van Der Merwe's release came after U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden contacted Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin about the case, according to reporting from a regional broadcast affiliate. Van Orden's office said the trooper would be released immediately.
Under the terms of his release, Van Der Merwe must check in regularly with ICE and remain under monitoring. His immigration proceedings will continue.
WisDOT said it and its Division of State Patrol are aware of the situation. The Wisconsin Law Enforcement Association, which represents troopers, expressed support for Van Der Merwe following his arrest.
"We recognize the uncertainty this creates for him, his family and colleagues. We call for fair treatment and due process as his case is reviewed," association president James Tobin said.
The case highlights the precarious position of long-term residents with pending immigration applications, even those in public safety roles. Van Der Merwe's attorney said his client has lived in the country since childhood and has legal work authorization, yet DHS maintains that neither work authorization nor a pending application confers lawful status.
Van Der Merwe's release with monitoring conditions means he can return to his family and job while the government pursues his removal case, though the outcome of those proceedings remains uncertain.