Video of handcuffed Indian student at US airport sparks debate

A video posted on X from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, US, has triggered a social media storm, prompting Indian diplomats to state that they are in contact with American authorities regarding the fate of a student shown being deported.

The video, shared by a social entrepreneur, shows a young Indian man in handcuffs, visibly distressed and in tears. A day after the video surfaced, there are still no official details available about the student’s identity or the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Responding to the outcry, the official X handle of the Consulate General of India in New York posted on June 9:

“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 to the welfare of Indian nationals.”

The Consulate’s response followed a widely shared video posted by Kunal Jain, whose X bio reads: “Indo-American Social Entrepreneur! HBS, MIT, USF alumni. Healthcare and Startups, Hindi author, moved back to Bharat recently. http://sonofindia.org.”

Sharing the video on June 9, Jain wrote:

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

While President Trump’s deportation programme currently enjoys net positive approval, particularly among Republican voters, there have been multiple reports of mistaken targeting, including tourists and individuals with valid documentation.

In May, the administration issued new instructions to US embassies and consulates, halting the scheduling of student visa appointments and expanding social media scrutiny for applicants. US media reports suggest a pattern in recent visa revocations, with many involving students who participated in pro-Palestinian campus protests or expressed solidarity with Gaza. Others have reportedly lost their visas over minor infractions, such as unpaid traffic fines.

Although international students are entitled to the same First Amendment protections as US citizens, immigration experts note that their temporary legal status makes them more vulnerable to administrative action. For Indian students, the largest group of international students in the US, the impact has been particularly severe. Many have been forced to abandon academic programmes, leave research projects unfinished, and return home with little notice.

Share this on