Wisconsin state trooper arrested by ICE to be released
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - UPDATE: An attorney and human resources manager said that Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe will be released shortly, per our Gray affiliate WEAU.
He will be placed on an order of supervision which will require him to meet with ICE regularly and he will be monitored by an electronic device, not yet known. This means he is in removal proceedings, which will now require him to defend his case before an immigration judge.
MADISON, Wis (WMTV) - A Wisconsin state trooper was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Dane County Regional Airport on Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed to WMTV 15 News.
DHS identified the trooper as Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, a South African national, and described his Nov. 5 arrest as part of a targeted enforcement operation.
“WisDOT and its Division of State Patrol are aware of the situation involving Trooper Carel Van Der Merwe,” the Wisconsin Department of Transportation said in a statement. “The trooper has been employed with State Patrol since July 13, 2025.”
The Wisconsin Law Enforcement Association also released a statement supporting Van Der Merwe.
“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.
According to DHS, Van Der Merwe entered the United States legally in March 2019 with permission to stay until September of that year but overstayed his authorized admission.
“To be clear: work authorization or a pending application do not confer legal status in the U.S.,” a DHS spokesperson said.
The agency said Van Der Merwe will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
DHS did not address questions from WMTV about whether officers were aware of Van Der Merwe’s employment as a state trooper.
This is a developing story. WMTV will update this story with any new information.
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