Attorney says Wisconsin trooper detained by ICE will be released under supervision

MADISON, WISCONSIN — The attorney for Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, 21, said Friday evening that the Wisconsin State Patrol trooper would be released from immigration detention under an order of supervision, one day after ICE agents arrested him at Dane County Regional Airport. His immigration case remains unresolved, according to his law firm. CBS 58 and WBAY reported the release announcement on November 6, 2026.

Van Der Merwe was preparing to fly to New Mexico to visit his parents when agents detained him November 5, according to attorney Marc Christopher. He was taken to the Dodge County Detention Facility. DHS confirmed that ICE arrested him during what the department described as a targeted enforcement operation at the Madison airport.

Christopher said Van Der Merwe came to the United States legally from South Africa with his parents as a teenager in 2019. He is included on his father’s pending asylum application and holds federal employment authorization valid through 2030, according to Christopher & De León Law Office. His attorney says the family has been waiting years for an asylum interview and has followed the application process.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation said Van Der Merwe has been employed by the State Patrol since July 13, 2025. He lives in Onalaska and works out of the Tomah post, according to his attorney. State records cited by WMTV show he graduated from the State Patrol’s 71st Recruit Class in November 2025 and was assigned to Monroe County.

DHS said Van Der Merwe entered the country in March 2019 with permission to remain until September 2019 and alleged that he overstayed that admission. The department said employment authorization does not confer immigration status and said he would receive due process in removal proceedings. That statement preceded the attorney’s announcement that he would be released under supervision.

Christopher disputed the need to detain his client, saying he poses neither a danger to the community nor a flight risk. The law firm said Friday that the announced release does not end the immigration proceedings and that Van Der Merwe will still need to present his case before an immigration judge.

Sources: CBS 58 — Friday evening release announcement and DHS response; WBAY — law firm’s supervision update; Wisconsin Public Radio — asylum application and employment background; WMTV — State Patrol academy and assignment records.

Updated November 6, 2026, to include the attorney’s announcement of release under supervision. The reports reviewed describe an announced release; this article does not independently confirm his physical departure from detention.