Indian student handcuffed at Newark Airport entered US illegally, says MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said that the alleged handcuffing and restraint of an Indian student at Newark Airport in the United States occurred during the process of his deportation, which was being carried out as per a court order following his illegal entry into the country, according to sources.

The student, whose video showing him being forcefully handcuffed and pinned down raised concerns on social media, has since been admitted to a medical facility. He will be deported once he is declared medically fit to travel.

“With regard to a social media post about an Indian national detained at Newark Airport in New Jersey, our Consulate in New York has ascertained that the individual, a resident of Haryana, had entered the United States illegally without a valid visa and was being deported to India as per a court order,” the MEA official said in a statement.

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“During his transit through Newark, his behaviour was found to be not conducive for travel, following which he was restrained and admitted to a medical facility,” the source added.

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

The MEA official further stated that once the individual is fit to travel, he will be deported to India. The Consulate in New York remains in touch with US authorities regarding the case.

MEA raises matter with US Embassy

Earlier, the ministry has reportedly raised the matter with the US Embassy in New Delhi.

According to a report by news agency ANI, quoting sources, the MEA has formally taken up the issue with the US Embassy. “Reference a social media post claiming that an Indian national was detained at Newark Airport in New Jersey. The Ministry has formally raised the matter with the US Embassy in New Delhi. Our Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate in New York are also in contact with US authorities to ascertain further details,” the sources told ANI.

However, MEA sources noted that they have not yet received full details regarding the incident or the specific circumstances under which the individual was restrained.