indian-student-handcuffed-detained-and-deported-at-us-airport

An Indian student was reportedly handcuffed, pinned to the ground at a US airport, and deported back to India, according to a social media user who shared videos and pictures of the incident. The user, Kunal Jain, a social entrepreneur, posted on X describing the distressing scene at Newark Airport, where the student was visibly upset and treated like a criminal despite pursuing his dreams.

Jain said the student was speaking in Haryanvi and insisted he was not mentally unstable, but claimed the authorities were attempting to portray him as such. He explained that many students receive visas and board flights in the morning but are unable to clearly explain their visit to immigration officials, resulting in their deportation the same day, often restrained. Jain noted that this is happening frequently, with 3 to 4 similar cases daily, and the number has increased in recent days.

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. @IndianEmbassyUS #immigrationraids pic.twitter.com/0cINhd0xU1

— Kunal Jain (@SONOFINDIA) June 8, 2025

Calling for intervention, Jain urged the Indian embassy in the US and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to look into the situation. He expressed concern for the student’s well-being, describing him as disoriented after the incident, and demanded clarity on the actions of New Jersey authorities.

This incident comes amid a broader crackdown by the US government on international students, with increased visa revocations often carried out without prior warning. The reasons vary widely, from participation in pro-Palestine protests to minor infractions like traffic violations, leaving many students caught in complex legal and bureaucratic challenges.

Data from the Department of Homeland Security’s Entry/Exit Overstay Report for F category visa holders shows that student visa overstays rose to 3.5 per cent in the fiscal year 2023. Although there is no comprehensive survey directly focusing on Indian immigrant students, reports consistently place India among the top ten countries with the highest visa overstay rates globally.

Further concerns stem from reports suggesting that over 1,500 Indian nationals were deported from the US during the fiscal year 2024, highlighting a growing issue for Indian students and immigrants facing stringent immigration enforcement.

 

Also Read: Starlink may cost ₹33,000 in India, monthly fee around ₹3,000