Wisconsin Trooper Detained by ICE Released After DHS Secretary's Call

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Wisconsin State Patrol trooper Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe on Thursday, November 6, while he was preparing to board a domestic flight, despite his pending asylum application and valid work permit. He was released Friday after nearly 24 hours in custody following a call with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Van Der Merwe, 21, entered the US from South Africa in March 2019 as a child and has been waiting for an asylum interview for seven years, with his application included in his father's case. DHS claimed he overstayed his authorized admission, which expired in September 2019, while his lawyers maintained his legal status was valid. His lawyers said officers handcuffed and shackled him during detention at Dodge County Jail, and one allegedly said they did not care about his work permit. His release has not resolved questions about the operation's circumstances, with his lawyer demanding explanations for both the detention and release.