US Warns Against Visa Abuse After Indian Student Handcuffed at Airport
| 2025-06-11
A picture of the incident
The US Embassy in India issues a strong advisory after a viral video shows an Indian student being handcuffed and deported from Newark Airport.
The US Embassy in India has stated that it “will not tolerate illegal entry, abuse of visas, or violation of US law,” in response to an incident that sparked widespread outrage on social media. The statement came after video footage surfaced showing an Indian student in handcuffs while being deported from Newark Airport.
The footage, which was shared by Indian-American entrepreneur Kunal Jain, showed the student pinned to the ground by multiple US officials. The individual was visibly distressed as he was restrained with his hands and legs bound.
Mr Jain, who witnessed the incident, posted on the social platform X, describing the scene as “heartbreaking”. He wrote, “I witnessed a young Indian student being deported from Newark Airport last night – handcuffed, crying, treated like a criminal. He came chasing dreams, not causing harm.”
He also appealed to the Indian Embassy and India’s Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, urging them to investigate the matter and extend assistance to the student.
In response, the Consulate General of India in New York confirmed that it had been made aware of social media posts regarding difficulties faced by an Indian national at the airport. “We are in touch with local authorities in this regard. The Consulate remains ever committed to the welfare of Indian nationals,” the statement read.
Diplomatic Warning
The US Embassy’s message underlines that while the country welcomes legitimate visitors, entry is not a guaranteed right. “The United States continues to welcome legitimate travellers to our country. However, there is no right to visit the United States,” the embassy posted on X.
The warning serves as a broader caution amid heightened scrutiny of immigration practices under the current US administration. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, over 1,000 Indian nationals have been deported from the United States since January this year.
Tensions Over Immigration Policy
The incident comes at a time of increasing controversy surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States. Under President Donald Trump’s administration, federal authorities have implemented stricter border controls, stepped up deportations, and used the military to enforce immigration rules.
Over the past weekend, protests erupted in Los Angeles over these measures. Demonstrators clashed with law enforcement, blocked highways, and reportedly set fire to autonomous vehicles. The unrest followed the President’s decision to deploy the National Guard to California—an act that California Governor Gavin Newsom denounced as “illegal, immoral, and unconstitutional.”
More than 300 troops were deployed over the weekend, with up to 2,000 authorised and hundreds more on standby, further escalating tensions between the federal and state governments.
Context:
The viral video and the US Embassy’s statement come amid a surge in Indian students seeking higher education and employment in the United States. India remains one of the largest sources of international students for US institutions, and visa issues have often been a sensitive topic between the two countries.
Indian authorities have frequently urged the United States to ensure the fair treatment of its citizens abroad, especially students who contribute to academic and research communities. This latest incident is likely to add pressure on diplomatic channels to seek clearer protocols and better safeguards against mistreatment during immigration procedures.
The US Embassy’s statement, while firm, reiterates a longstanding position on border security and legal compliance. However, the manner of enforcement, as seen in the video, is likely to continue drawing criticism from rights groups and international observers.
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