A German tattoo artist came to the US for a 3-week trip. She’s now been in ICE detention for over a month

Sun Mar 09 07:20:00 UTC 2025: ## German Tattoo Artist Detained in US for Over a Month Awaits Deportation

**San Diego, CA** – Jessica Brösche, a Berlin-based tattoo artist, has been held in ICE detention at the Otay Mesa Detention Facility in San Diego for over a month after being denied entry into the United States at the San Ysidro port of entry. Brösche, who had been vacationing in Mexico, attempted to cross the border with a friend on January 25th.

According to her friend, Los Angeles-based clothing designer Nikita Lofving, immigration officials detained Brösche, initially informing Lofving that Brösche would be deported to Germany. However, instead of immediate deportation, Brösche remains in detention.

While Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated that foreign nationals denied entry who cannot arrange their own return travel are handed over to ICE, an ICE spokesperson cited a “violation of the terms and conditions of her admission” as the reason for Brösche’s detention. Lofving speculates that Brösche’s plans to tattoo Lofving, a reciprocal artistic arrangement, may have been misinterpreted as illegal work.

Brösche reports experiencing harsh conditions, including eight days in solitary confinement. She has expressed desperation to return home to Germany, and her family has purchased a plane ticket for her return on March 11th. However, it remains unclear if ICE will release her by then. The German Consulate in Los Angeles is monitoring the situation and is in contact with US authorities and Brösche’s family.

Immigration lawyer Jeff Joseph describes Brösche’s case as unusual. He notes that individuals entering under the Visa Waiver Program are typically deported immediately if denied entry, not held for extended periods in detention. The prolonged detention has raised concerns among Brösche’s friends, family, and legal experts. The Otay Mesa Detention Facility, operated by CoreCivic, states their responsibility is to provide humane care while detainees undergo legal processes. The circumstances surrounding Brösche’s continued detention remain under scrutiny.

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