Indian Jazz Guitarist Pritesh Walia Released from US ICE Custody
· India · Indian Express, Hindustan Times
Indian jazz guitarist and composer Pritesh Walia has been released on bond after spending 14 days in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. The New Delhi-born musician was detained at Los Angeles Airport on August 2 for allegedly failing to meet the requirements of his non-immigrant status and overstaying his temporary visa. Walia, who has lived in the US since 2019 on an O-1B visa for extraordinary ability, was held at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in California. He confirmed his release on social media, describing the detention period as the most difficult of his life. His immigration case remains ongoing.
Why it matters
The detention of a prominent Indian artist highlights the complexities and risks associated with maintaining non-immigrant visa compliance in the US.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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