‘No Right to Visit US’: Embassy Issues Stern Message After Indian Student Handcuffed at Newark Airport
The US Embassy in India has issued a stern message stating there is “no right to visit the United States,” following a viral social media video that showed an Indian student being handcuffed and deported from Newark Liberty International Airport. The embassy asserted that while legitimate travellers are welcome, the US will not tolerate illegal entry or visa violations.
The strong statement came after a video and several posts depicting the distressing incident sparked outrage online. An NRI who witnessed the event shared that the student was “handcuffed, crying, treated like a criminal” by US officials before being deported. The incident has drawn a sharp reaction, prompting the Indian Consulate in New York to intervene.
In a post on the social media platform X, the US Embassy in India wrote, “The United States continues to welcome legitimate travelers to our country. However, there is no right to visit the United States. We cannot and will not tolerate illegal entry, abuse of visas, or the violation of U.S. law.”
The controversy erupted when a social media user named Kunal Jain, a social entrepreneur, posted a video of the student’s plight. “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,” he wrote.
Jain added that the student, who appeared to speak in Haryanvi, was insisting he wasn’t “crazy” but felt authorities were trying to portray him as such. He also claimed that such incidents are becoming more frequent, alleging that “Every day 3-4 such cases are happening” where students are denied entry and “sent back in the evening flight tied up like criminals.”
Responding to the widespread concern, the Indian Consulate in New York acknowledged the incident. “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 posted on X, assuring that it “remains ever committed for the welfare of Indian Nationals.”
This incident occurs amid a broader, intensified crackdown by the US government on international students. Reports have indicated an increase in visa revocations for various reasons, from involvement in pro-Palestine protests to minor traffic violations, creating an environment of uncertainty and confusion for many foreign students.
