 "WATCH: Indian student handcuffed, deported from US airport; incident sparks outrage online")
An Indian student was handcuffed, pinned on the ground at a US airport, and subsequently deported back to India, according to a report, citing a social media user who shared videos and photos of the incident.
Kunal Jain, an Indian-American social entrepreneur, posted on X that the Indian student detained at a US airport was “treated like a criminal” and called the incident a “human tragedy.”
“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 wrote on X.
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
Jain said the Indian student was speaking in Haryanvi, recognisable by his accent. He was heard saying, “I am not crazy; these people are trying to prove that I am”, he added.
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More ShortsJain said there have been multiple similar cases of Indians being deported recently due to their inability to explain the purpose of their visit to immigration authorities.
“These children get their visas and get on a flight in the morning. For some reason, they are unable to explain the reason for their visit to the immigration authorities and are sent back in the evening flight tied up like criminals. Every day 3-4 such cases are happening. There have been more such cases in the last few days,” Jain added.
Jain urged Indian embassy in US and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take up the matter.
This poor kids parent won’t know what’s happening to him. @IndianEmbassyUS @DrSJaishankar he was to be boarded last night in the same flight with me but he never got boarded. Someone needs to find out what’s going on with him at New Jersey authorities. I found him disoriented. pic.twitter.com/kpMiy9Trsp
— Kunal Jain (@SONOFINDIA) June 8, 2025
“This poor kids parent won’t know what’s happening to him. @IndianEmbassyUS @DrSJaishankar he was to be boarded last night in the same flight with me but he never got boarded. Someone needs to find out what’s going on with him at New Jersey authorities. I found him disoriented,” Jain wrote in a separate post.
The video has triggered widespread outrage and concern over the treatment of Indian nationals abroad, prompting calls for official intervention from the Indian government.
At the same time, some viewers have raised questions about the circumstances leading up to the incident.
One user wrote, “Handcuffed? May be wrong, but did he come the right way? If not, then what is wrong if he is being deported?”
Another commented, “You are not alone, most of the NRIs are not helpless, right word is useless when it comes to stand together. We are so selfish, in the next coming years we will feel the heat cos of our attitude.”
A third said, “What do u mean by he’s not been able to explain to the US authorities. If he can’t speak English, how did he clear his exams? What kind of courses was he going to take?”
A fourth user added, “He was questioned for 5-6 hours, also an Indian chap called in to converse, but he failed to give correct answers, yes, he shouldn’t be treated in such a manner, rather escorting him and calling the embassy or consular but it seems they’ve a different set of rules.”
The incident comes amid a growing crackdown by the US government on international students, with visas increasingly being revoked without prior notice.
Reasons have varied — from participation in pro-Palestine protests to minor traffic violations— often leaving students entangled in legal uncertainty and confusion.
According to the Department of Homeland Security’s Entry/Exit Overstay Report, visa overstays among F-category student visa holders rose to 3.5% in fiscal year 2023.
While comprehensive, evidence-based data specifically focused on Indian student overstays remains limited, India continues to rank among the top 10 countries with the highest rates of student visa overstays.
Adding to concerns, unofficial estimates suggest that more than 1,500 Indian nationals were deported from the US in fiscal year 2024, raising alarm over the treatment of undocumented Indian immigrants.
With inputs from agencies
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