Why It Matters
Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, a Wisconsin state trooper, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement while waiting to board a domestic flight. He is facing deportation to South Africa.
What Happened
Van Der Merwe was detained during what the Department of Homeland Security described as a targeted enforcement operation at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison. He was later taken to immigration detention in Dodge County and is being held at a facility in Juneau, Wisconsin.
Van Der Merwe told ICE officers that he had a valid work permit and a pending asylum application. He came to the United States legally from South Africa as a child and has waited seven years for an asylum interview.
DHS said Van Der Merwe entered the country legally in March 2019, with permission to remain through September 2019. Marc Christopher, an attorney with Christopher & De León, will seek Van Der Merwe’s release on bond.
Christopher described the detention as “inhumane and despicable.”
By the Numbers
21 — Van Der Merwe’s age
seven years — time Van Der Merwe has waited for an asylum interview
2030 — expiration year of Van Der Merwe’s work permit
March 2019 — month and year DHS said Van Der Merwe entered the United States legally
September 2019 — month and year Van Der Merwe’s permission to stay expired
Zoom Out
The case involves overlapping immigration-enforcement and asylum proceedings. Van Der Merwe’s detention occurred at an airport, while his immigration custody is in Dodge County.