Wisconsin State Trooper detained by ICE, currently held in Dodge County

A Wisconsin State Trooper was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Trooper Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, 21, is currently being held in immigration detention in Dodge County.What happened?According to Christopher & De Leon Law Office, ICE officers approached Van Der Merwe while he waited to board a domestic flight, and he explained that he had a work permit and a pending asylum application. According to Van Der Merwe, the officers said they did not care, placed him in handcuffs and shackles, and transported him to immigration detention in Dodge County.FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or AndroidThe Wisconsin Department of Transportation and its State Patrol Division told FOX6 that it is "aware of the situation involving Trooper Carel Van Der Merwe. The trooper has been employed with State Patrol since July 13, 2025."Van Der Merwe lives in Onalaska and works out of Tomah.Van Der Merwe's backgroundAccording to the law office represe