“Like a Horror Movie” says German ICE detainee Jessica Brösche
U.S. Immigration Detention Turns German Tourist’s Trip into a Nightmare
In a striking display of the U.S. immigration system's inconsistencies, a 26-year-old German tattoo artist, Jessica Brösche, finds herself indefinitely detained in a San Diego immigration facility, while convicted fraudster Anna Delvey—also a German citizen—openly defies deportation and enjoys freedom in Manhattan.
Brösche arrived legally in the U.S. on January 25, 2025, via the Visa Waiver Program, intending to collaborate on art projects in Los Angeles for a month. However, at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, Customs and Border Protection officers flagged her—without evidence—as intending to work illegally. Instead of being allowed to return to Berlin on her booked flight, she was sent to the Otay Mesa Detention Center, a private facility long criticized for alleged human rights violations. Ironically, Brösche had a return ticket to Germany before she arrived in the United States.
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Meanwhile, Anna Delvey (real name Anna Sorokin), who gained notoriety for defrauding New York’s elite out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, has evaded deportation despite her 2019 conviction and lack of legal status. Released from ICE custody in 2022 after prolonged legal battles, Delvey now attends high-profile events and enjoys media attention, living freely in New York.
The disparity is glaring. Brösche, who followed immigration rules, has endured solitary confinement and treatment typically reserved for dangerous criminals. Immigration attorney Tammy Lin called Brösche’s indefinite detention “highly unusual,” noting that tourists deemed inadmissible are typically allowed to withdraw their application and leave voluntarily—an option Brösche was denied. In contrast, Delvey, whose crimes are well-documented, has leveraged her infamy into a public persona.
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This case comes amid ongoing scrutiny of U.S. immigration policies. In recent years, reports of overcrowding, medical neglect, and prolonged detentions at facilities like Otay Mesa have fueled calls for reform. Yet, the system appears to punish some—like Brösche—disproportionately while others, like Delvey, exploit it with impunity. Wealth, fame, and legal resources seem to dictate outcomes more than adherence to the law.
As investigative border reporter Gustavo Solis detailed in his KPBS article, which heavily informed this story, Brösche’s plight underscores a broader dysfunction: a system that’s chaotic, cruel, and inconsistent. An artist with a backpack and a return ticket languishes in detention, while a convicted scammer thrives in the spotlight.
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