Wis. State Trooper Detained by ICE While Boarding Domestic Flight

A South Africa-born Wisconsin State Patrol trooper was detained by ICE while boarding a domestic flight, despite reportedly waiting seven years for an asylum interview tied to a pending family application.

Nov. 9, 2026

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A Wisconsin State Patrol trooper was arrested by ICE while preparing to board a domestic flight from Dane County Regional Airport, according to his attorney.
The trooper, originally from South Africa, reportedly entered the U.S. legally as a child and has been waiting seven years for an asylum interview through his father's pending application.
A congressman says the trooper is expected to be released under supervision while he works with federal authorities to resolve his immigration status and paperwork.

A Wisconsin State Trooper working in Tomah was reportedly arrested by Immigration Customs Enforcement on Thursday.

Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, 21, lives in Onalaska and came to the United States legally from South Africa as a kid, according to a press release from Christopher & De Leon Immigration & Criminal Law.

He was arrested while boarding a domestic flight at Dane County Regional Airport, the press release said.

Van Der Merwe is expected to be released shortly under supervision, with regular ICE check-ins and electronic monitoring. (Editor's note: Van Der Merwe has been released, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.) The type of monitoring device has not yet been confirmed, his attorney Marc Christopher said on a Facebook post.

The press release said Van Der Merwe has been waiting seven years for an asylum interview and was on his father's pending asylum application.

Congressman Derrick Van Orden released a statement saying as soon as he became aware of the situation, he contacted the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to discuss the case.

Van Orden said the trooper will be released immediately and will be responsible for working with the appropriate authorities to resolve his outstanding immigration paperwork and address his legal status.

“This is inhumane and despicable,” Christopher said in the press release. “Putting a Wisconsin State Trooper behind bars while his asylum case sits unresolved does not make our communities safer.”

The Tribune reached out to ICE but has not heard a response.

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