NEWARK, N.J. (Diya TV) — A disturbing incident at Newark Liberty International Airport involving the deportation of a young Indian student has triggered a diplomatic response and sparked widespread outrage online, after a video depicting the student in distress went viral on social media.
The video, originally posted by Indian American author and social entrepreneur Kunal Jain, shows the student handcuffed and visibly distraught. Jain, who recently relocated to India, witnessed the incident firsthand. “I saw a young Indian student being deported from Newark Airport last night—handcuffed, crying, treated like a criminal,” he wrote on his social media handle on X. “He came chasing dreams, not causing harm. As an NRI, I felt helpless and heartbroken. This is a human tragedy.”
The post rapidly gained traction online, tagging India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and prompting public demands for an official inquiry.
In response, the Indian government has taken formal diplomatic steps. According to ANI, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has raised the matter with the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and is working to gather more details. “We have so far not received any details about the incident or the circumstances under which he was restrained, the flight he had to board or boarded, and his final destination,” Indian government sources told ANI. “We continue to follow up on the matter.”
Both the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate General of India in New York have contacted U.S. authorities, requesting clarification and accountability.
The incident has reignited concerns among international student communities and NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) regarding the treatment of Indian nationals at U.S. ports of entry. While it is not uncommon for international travelers to face additional scrutiny at American airports, the visual of a young student in handcuffs has touched a nerve globally, especially in India, where families often invest heavily to send their children abroad for higher education.
Though the identity of the student and specific reasons for his deportation remain unconfirmed, the incident occurred amid broader trends in U.S. immigration enforcement. According to MEA records cited by ANI, the U.S. government has deported 1,080 Indian nationals since the start of the Trump administration, reflecting increasingly strict visa and immigration protocols.
As of now, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has not released a formal statement regarding the student’s case.
Immigration attorneys familiar with such situations note that a variety of issues—ranging from incorrect visa documentation to suspicion of intent to work illegally—can result in denied entry and even detention. However, they also stress that use of restraints like handcuffs is typically reserved for those deemed a security risk or non-compliant, standards many feel should not apply to a student traveler without a known criminal history.
The incident is expected to further strain U.S.-India immigration dynamics and has already prompted calls for systemic change. “This isn’t just about one student,” Jain emphasized in a follow-up post. “It’s about how we treat people who come to our country legally, hoping to contribute and learn.”
Indian authorities continue to press U.S. officials for transparency and fair treatment of their citizens, particularly students who form a large and growing portion of international admissions in American universities.
