Dutch model and Instagram influencer from the Netherlands, Vera Dijkmans, continues to be held in immigration detention at Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, where her family says she has gone nearly four days without daylight or proper sleep.
“Vera is still being held at Delaney Hall Detention Center in New Jersey,” read the update posted to her Instagram account by her family and friends, titled “Official Update.” “We are extremely concerned about her well-being and the conditions of her detention.”
The post detailed the detainee’s situation.
“She has reportedly gone nearly four days without seeing daylight or getting proper sleep,” the update reads. “In addition, there are serious concerns about the lack of food, the poor quality of the food provided, and inadequate hygiene conditions.”
The family has also called for respect for her dignity.
“We are deeply concerned about her health, safety, and dignity,” the message continued. “Vera deserves humane treatment and proper living conditions.”
The update concluded with a call to her supporters: “Please stand with Vera. Every voice matters.” It closed with the hashtags #FreeVera and #StandWithVera, placed over a picture of a gated lot with coils of wire.
According to an initial report by Dutch broadcaster RTL Nieuws, cited by NL Times and Dutch public broadcaster NOS, Dijkmans was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday evening after landing at Newark Liberty International Airport. According to NOS, she had traveled to the U.S. after being invited to a UFC event.
Dijkmans holds a B2 visitor visa and had started the process of applying for a green card, the outlets reported. Her mother told RTL Nieuws that Dijkmans works extensively in the U.S., NOS added. She also said that Dijkmans failed to attend court hearings about her residency because she was traveling.
Her mother tried to visit her at the detention center on Thursday but was denied entry, NL Times reported. Her family cannot communicate with Dijkmans directly and has to wait until she calls, her mother said, as cited by NL Times.
Her mother said that Dijkmans is wearing a prison uniform and was not allowed to take any personal belongings with her, including a toothbrush. She fears for her daughter’s safety, saying Dijkmans shares a cell with several other women who may resent her because of her good looks and influencer status, NL Times reported.
Her mother contacted the Dutch Foreign Ministry and Dutch Embassy for help, saying that no action has been taken yet, as NL Times reported. The ministry refused to comment, citing privacy.
This update comes after two previous posts on her account, posted about an hour apart. The first one was titled “Official Statement”.
“The statement reads: We are speaking on behalf of Vera Dijkmans’ family and friends,” it said.
The statement explained where she was stopped and how she is being held.
“Vera was detained at the airport in Jersey and taken into custody by ICE,” it reads. “She is currently being held in an ICE detention center under extremely poor conditions, with inadequate food and poor hygiene.”
Her family and friends asked her supporters to rally around her.
“We are urgently hoping for her safe release and ask everyone to stand with Vera during this difficult time,” it said. “Please share this statement, spread awareness, and help make her situation heard.”
The message concludes with the family’s wish for her release and thanks supporters.
“We want Vera home, safe and with her loved ones,” it continued. “Thank you for standing with us.”
The statement is signed “Vera’s family & friends.”
In the second post, the family thanked supporters for their help.
“A huge thank you for all the messages, advice and support, and to everyone sharing Vera’s story to help spread awareness,” the post reads. “Our biggest hope is to get Vera out of these poor conditions as soon as possible. Every bit of help means the world to us.”
Delaney Hall is run by private prison company GEO Group, which reopened it in 2025 under a $1 billion, 15-year ICE contract. GEO Group had run it as an immigrant detention center from 2011 to 2017. After reopening, the facility can hold about 1,000 people and was marketed as the largest ICE processing and detention center on the East Coast.
The facility became known for hospitalizations, detainee escapes, and allegations of poor conditions. Historically, GEO Group claims that people in its care are “treated in a safe, secure and humane manner.”
NL Times U.S. correspondent Erik Mouthaan pointed out that detainees at the facility usually stay there for a few days to a few weeks. Dijkmans may face immediate deportation, be moved to a larger holding facility like those in Texas, or be released temporarily while awaiting an immigration hearing.
The arrest reports do not contain statements from ICE or the GEO Group. It is unclear whether Dijkmans has a lawyer and when she may appear before an immigration judge.
Dijkmans, 29, grew up in The Hague, Netherlands, and started posting on Instagram in 2013. She built a following of millions on the platform through fashion, modeling, and lifestyle content, and now lives in Miami, according to NL Times.
