A young Indian student was reportedly handcuffed, pinned to the ground, and deported from Newark Liberty International Airport in the United States, sparking outrage and concern across social media platforms.
The incident, captured in videos and photos posted online, highlights growing unease over the treatment of international students amidst an intensified US visa crackdown.
Social entrepreneur Kunal Jain, who shared the visuals on X, 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.
As an NRI, I felt helpless and heartbroken. This is a human tragedy.”
Jain, who observed the student speaking in Haryanvi, claimed the young man was disoriented and insisted he was not mentally unstable, despite allegedly being treated as such by US authorities.
“These children get their visas and board a flight in the morning. For some reason, they are unable to explain their visit to immigration and are sent back the same evening, tied up like criminals,” he said.
“Every day 3–4 such cases are happening.”
The Consulate General of India in New York responded to the social media posts, stating:
“We have come across social media posts claiming that an Indian national is facing difficulties at Newark Liberty International Airport.
We are in touch with local authorities in this regard. The Consulate remains ever committed to the welfare of Indian nationals.”
This comes against the backdrop of the US government’s intensified scrutiny of international students, with increasing reports of visa revocations and heightened border checks. According to the US Department of Homeland Security’s FY2023 Entry/Exit Overstay Report, student visa overstays for F category holders rose to 3.5%.
Meanwhile, students at elite universities like Harvard have also been affected by sweeping policy changes. In a controversial move, US President Donald Trump recently revoked Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, accusing the institution of “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party”.
“Let this serve as a warning to all universities across the country,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
“Harvard’s leadership has created an unsafe campus environment… Many of these agitators are foreign students.”
A federal judge in Boston has since blocked the Trump administration’s ban on international students at Harvard, pending further litigation. The university argued the proclamation was unlawful and undermined both student rights and academic freedom.
India currently sends the highest number of international students to the US, with over 330,000 enrolled in American institutions. For many families, it represents a life-changing investment, with annual tuition alone ranging between USD 40,000 and 80,000.
However, the uncertainty caused by policy shifts, halted student visa interviews, and expanding social media vetting protocols has left countless students and families in limbo. An internal memo recently directed US embassies to pause new student visa appointments until further notice, citing enhanced screening requirements.
While the Biden administration had softened many of the Trump-era immigration policies, recent developments indicate a renewed hardline stance as the US elections approach. Indian officials and diaspora groups are now calling for urgent intervention to ensure fair and humane treatment of students who arrive with valid documentation and educational aspirations.
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