‘Treated like a criminal': Indian student forcibly deported from Newark airport, embassy responds

The footage shows the student, visibly distressed, being handcuffed, tied at the legs, and pinned to the ground by at least four US officials, two of whom had their knees on his back.

A viral video of an Indian student being forcefully restrained and deported from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey has triggered widespread outrage across social media platforms.

The footage shows the student, visibly distressed, being handcuffed, tied at the legs, and pinned to the ground by at least four US officials, two of whom had their knees on his back.

The incident was captured by Indian-American entrepreneur Kunal Jain, who was present at the airport during the deportation.

Jain later took to microblogging site 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.”

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

He called on the Indian Embassy to look into the matter urgently and support the affected student.

The Indian Consulate in New York acknowledged the incident, stating, “We have seen social media posts regarding an Indian national facing difficulties at Newark Airport. We are in touch with local authorities. The Consulate remains committed to the welfare of Indian nationals.”

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 for the welfare of Indian Nationals.@MEAIndia India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) June 9, 2025

This incident has renewed criticism of the way Indian nationals are treated during deportation proceedings.

In early 2025, a similar outcry followed the deportation of over 100 Indians, many of whom were shackled and treated like convicts. Opposition parties in India had slammed the government for not intervening or providing alternative means of repatriation.

For now, the student's identity remains undisclosed, and further details about his immigration status or visa denial are unclear.