NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Los Angeles, CA, August 10, 2026: Indian-born jazz guitarist, composer and educator Pritesh Walia has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and transferred to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in California, according to a statement posted on his Instagram account on August 9.
Walia was detained on the night of Sunday, August 2, after returning to Los Angeles, according to the statement, which was posted by a woman identified as Liza, who said she is currently managing Walia’s account on his behalf.
“Pritesh was unexpectedly detained by ICE and taken into custody,” the statement said. It added that he had since been transferred to the Adelanto facility.
According to the post, Walia’s personal belongings, including his phone, were taken when he was detained, and he did not have access to them as of August 9.
Liza said she and Walia’s family were working with attorneys to address the situation and secure his release.
“We’ll share further updates when we are able,” she wrote, thanking those who had reached out and offered support.
The reason for Walia’s detention remains unclear. As of August 10, no publicly available information reviewed by NRI Pulse established the legal basis for the ICE action or Walia’s immigration status at the time he was detained.
Walia’s official biography identifies him as a New Delhi-born musician currently based in Los Angeles. A guitarist, composer, educator and bandleader, he studied at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles before continuing his musical education at Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory.
Walia’s detention came at a particularly active point in his career.
His latest project, Journey to Nowhere, a collaboration with the Henry Godfrey Jazz Orchestra, had a July 31 release date. The album features a 27-piece ensemble and guest musicians including pianist Aaron Parks and saxophonists Jerry Bergonzi and Godwin Louis.
Walia and the Henry Godfrey Big Band had also been scheduled to celebrate the album with a 17-piece ensemble at Los Angeles jazz venue Sam First on August 6 — four days after Walia was detained. The venue’s listing described the concert as an album-release performance featuring contemporary jazz, cinematic textures and electronic influences.
Walia had previously faced a major health setback shortly after obtaining an artist visa in the United States.
A GoFundMe campaign organized on his behalf in July 2023 said Walia’s ability to work was abruptly halted about a month after he received his artist visa.
According to the fundraiser, Walia had developed severe vertigo in late 2022 and was subsequently diagnosed with Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD), Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) and chronic vestibular migraines. His symptoms affected his vision and balance and left him unable to perform, teach or carry out many daily activities.
The campaign said Walia underwent vestibular rehabilitation and other treatment while facing significant medical and living expenses.
The fundraiser also provides details about Walia’s journey from India to the United States. It says he began playing guitar at 16 while growing up outside Delhi and later moved to the U.S. to pursue higher education in music. He studied at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory.
Walia subsequently returned to an active music career. Publicity for Journey to Nowhere describes years of performing and composing in Boston and New York and says much of the material on the new album grew out of music he developed during that period.
News of his detention has since spread among musicians and jazz enthusiasts online. In a Reddit discussion on August 10, a person identifying herself as Walia’s cousin in Mumbai thanked his supporters on behalf of the family and asked for prayers for his safety and release.
“Do pray for his safety and release at the earliest,” she wrote.
The discussion also included speculation about Walia’s visa status, but no documentation was offered to substantiate those claims.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more verified information becomes available.
Cover images courtesy: Pritesh Walia/Instagram.
