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Indian musician Pritesh Walia detained by ICE
The musician moved to the U.S. from India to pursue higher education in music.
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 12, Aug 2026
- 17:41 EDT
- 29
Pritesh Walia / priteshwaliamusic.com
Indian jazz guitarist, composer and educator Pritesh Walia was detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Aug. 2.
A statement posted on Walia’s Instagram account Aug. 9 by a person identified as Liza, who said she was managing the account on his behalf, said Walia was “unexpectedly detained by ICE and taken into custody” after returning to Los Angeles.
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According to the post, Walia was subsequently transferred to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in California. “His personal belongings, including his phone, were taken upon detention, and he currently has no access to them,” the statement said.
Liza said Walia’s family was working with attorneys to address the situation and seek his release.
“His family and I are actively working with attorneys to address the situation and secure his release as soon as possible,” she said.
The reason for Walia’s detention has not been publicly disclosed. As of Aug. 13, there is no public statement from ICE explaining why he was detained.
Who is Pritesh Walia?
Walia is a New Delhi-born jazz guitarist, composer, educator and bandleader. His official biography says he began studying Indian classical music at age 13 before pursuing jazz and contemporary music.
He earned an associate degree from the Musicians Institute College of Contemporary Music in Los Angeles, a bachelor’s degree in Contemporary Jazz Performance and Jazz Composition from Berklee College of Music and a master’s degree in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory.
Walia has performed internationally across North and South America, India and Europe and has conducted master classes and clinics in addition to his performance work.
His detention came just days after the release of his latest project, Journey to Nowhere, a collaboration with drummer and composer Henry Godfrey and the Henry Godfrey Jazz Orchestra.
The album was released July 31 and features a 27-piece ensemble along with guest musicians including pianist Aaron Parks, saxophonists Jerry Bergonzi and Godwin Louis, and pianist Ron Cha.
The project drew on material Walia developed during his years at Berklee and the New England Conservatory, according to its release information.
Walia previously faced a major health crisis that disrupted his music career.
A GoFundMe campaign organized by his friend Joey Rosin in July 2023 said Walia had developed severe vertigo the previous November. After undergoing medical examinations, he was diagnosed with Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD), Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) and chronic vestibular migraines.
According to the fundraiser, the conditions caused vertigo, dissociation, oscillopsia, blurry vision and balance problems and left Walia unable to perform, teach or carry out many daily activities.
The campaign said Walia underwent vestibular rehabilitation and required physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and medication. His medical care involved providers in California and Massachusetts, creating substantial medical and insurance expenses.
The 2023 fundraiser also said Walia’s ability to work was abruptly halted about a month after he received an “Artist Visa.”
“Artist Visa” is commonly used to refer to the O-1B category for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts. USCIS describes O-1B as a nonimmigrant classification for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts.
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