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Jessica B.: German tattoo artist held over a month after border stop

Jessica Brösche, a 26-year-old German tattoo artist, was denied entry at San Diego and has spent over a month in ICE detention, including eight days in solitary confinement.

Jan 25, 2025San Diego, CACountry of origin: Germany

Jessica B.: German tattoo artist held over a month after border stop
Photo via The Guardian

Jessica Brösche, a 26-year-old German tattoo artist, was denied entry to the United States at the San Diego border on January 25, 2025, after crossing from Tijuana with her American friend Amelia Lofving to travel to Los Angeles. US Customs and Border Protection accused her of planning to violate her visa waiver by intending to work as a tattoo artist, and she was transferred to ICE custody at the Otay Mesa detention center, where she has been held for more than a month. Brösche spent eight days in solitary confinement, which her friend said left her so distressed she punched the walls until her knuckles bled. Lofving said she could not locate Brösche for 25 days and had to use the federal Detainee Locator website and seek help from the German consulate before she could visit her.

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