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Wisconsin State Trooper Detained by ICE Amid Asylum Application

Wisconsin State Trooper Detained by ICE Amid Asylum Application

Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, a 21-year-old Wisconsin State Trooper, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at an airport while attempting to board a domestic flight. Van Der Merwe, who came to the United States from South Africa as a child, is currently in federal immigration detention at the Dodge County Detention Facility. His immigration attorney, Marc Christopher, states that Van Der Merwe holds a federal work permit and has a pending asylum application, which his family has been pursuing for seven years. ICE, however, stated that Van Der Merwe entered the country in March 2019 with legal permission to stay until September 2019 but overstayed his admission. ICE further clarified that work authorization does not confer legal status and that Van Der Merwe will receive due process while remaining in custody pending removal proceedings. Wisconsin State Patrol hiring rules permit non-citizens with valid work authorization to serve as troopers.

Deportation flight of Iranians from US scuttled at last minute, attorney says

Deportation flight of Iranians from US scuttled at last minute, attorney says

A U.S. deportation flight of at least eight Iranian nationals who were eventually bound for Iran has been abruptly canceled

Haitian third-grader taken into federal custody after immigration check-in

Haitian third-grader taken into federal custody after immigration check-in

School leaders are demanding answers after immigration officials took an 8-year-old from his uncle. They say they don’t know where he is.

Wisconsin trooper released from ICE custody after 'dramatic experience'

Wisconsin trooper released from ICE custody after 'dramatic experience'

A Wisconsin state trooper who came to the U.S. from South Africa as a teen was released from ICE custody. He has a work permit and an asylum case.

Inside how Trump's migrant detention warehouse plan fell apart

Inside how Trump's migrant detention warehouse plan fell apart

The federal government bought massive warehouses for detention centers before answering basic questions about sewage, safety and local support.

Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Released from ICE Custody Following Detention

Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Released from ICE Custody Following Detention

Carel Aaron Van Der Merwe, a 21-year-old South African-born Wisconsin State Patrol trooper, was released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on November 6, according to his attorney, Marc Christopher. Van Der Merwe, who holds a valid work permit, was detained on November 5 by federal immigration agents while traveling to visit family. He was released under an order of supervision, which mandates periodic check-ins with ICE and likely electronic monitoring. Van Der Merwe came to the U.S. with his family at age 14 on visas, and his family's asylum case has been pending for seven years. His work authorization is valid until 2030. Rep. Derrick Van Orden intervened on Van Der Merwe's behalf, contacting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to discuss the case. A spokesperson for Van Orden stated that authorities would work to resolve his immigration paperwork and legal status. ICE asserts that Van Der Merwe overstayed his visitor's visa, which his attorney disputes, ...

Trump says his deportation policy 'might have been too tough' for voters in the election

Trump says his deportation policy 'might have been too tough' for voters in the election

President Donald Trump said he thinks his administration was too aggressive on deportations

Asylum Seekers Face Detention and Legal Hurdles While Awaiting Decisions in the U.S.

Asylum Seekers Face Detention and Legal Hurdles While Awaiting Decisions in the U.S.

Individuals fleeing danger in their home countries and seeking protection in the United States are categorized as asylum seekers while their applications are pending. These individuals, often referred to as 'illegal immigrants' by some, are in the initial stages of a process that could lead to asylee status and eventually citizenship. U.S. law permits asylum seekers to apply for work permits, enabling them to legally support themselves during the lengthy adjudication process. However, despite having valid work permits, some asylum seekers are being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A specific case highlights a Honduran teenager fleeing gang violence who, despite having a valid work permit, was arrested and detained by ICE, leading him to withdraw his asylum request and return to his home country due to the prospect of indefinite detention. This illustrates a significant challenge within the current asylum system, where individuals are often locked up in immigration prisons, which are d...

ICE Detains UC Berkeley Student and Asylum Seeker at San Francisco Airport, Prompting Legal Challenge and University Support

ICE Detains UC Berkeley Student and Asylum Seeker at San Francisco Airport, Prompting Legal Challenge and University Support

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained Paula Valentina Albornoz Hernandez, a 23-year-old UC Berkeley student and asylum seeker, at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) while she was waiting to board a flight. Albornoz Hernandez, who arrived in the U.S. from Colombia in 2022, had overstayed her visa but had a pending asylum application based on experiencing severe gender-based violence in her home country, along with a valid work permit. She is currently held at ICE’s California City Detention Center. Attorneys from Centro Legal de la Raza have filed a habeas corpus petition challenging her detention, arguing that ICE officers did not present a warrant and failed to assess if she was a flight risk. UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons has also written a letter of support, requesting her release to resume her studies. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed her detention, stating she did not depart after her visa expired and will receive due process.

Houston mayor signs order to limit cooperation with ICE, says 'elections matter' after Democrats win

Houston mayor signs order to limit cooperation with ICE, says 'elections matter' after Democrats win

The mayor of Houston says the city will limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, heralding “a new model” of immigration enforcement after Democrats won power in Texas for the first time in decades

Houston mayor curtails police cooperation with ICE, saying 'elections matter'

Houston mayor curtails police cooperation with ICE, saying 'elections matter'

By Steve Gorman Nov 6 (Reuters) - Days after elections that swept Democrats to statewide leadership in Texas, Houston's mayor ordered his city's police department on Friday to curtail its cooperation with federal immigration officers, contrary to Republican-backed state law.

Delaware Attorney General Jennings Secures Ruling Protecting $1.1 Million in Law Enforcement Funding

Delaware Attorney General Jennings Secures Ruling Protecting $1.1 Million in Law Enforcement Funding

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced a significant court victory that protects $1.1 million in congressionally authorized public safety grants for Delaware. The ruling, issued by District of Rhode Island Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., blocks the federal government from imposing illegal immigration-enforcement conditions on these grants. Judge McConnell declared the Trump Administration’s actions unlawful and permanently enjoined any implementation or enforcement of those conditions. This lawsuit was co-led by Attorney General Jennings, along with Attorneys General from California, New Jersey, Illinois, and Rhode Island, and joined by numerous other states and the District of Columbia. The affected programs include the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Formula Grants (Byrne JAG Program), which is a primary federal source of criminal justice funding, and funds under Title II Part B of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, as well as the Byrne State Crisis Intervention...