New Delhi/New York– The Indian government has formally taken up the case of an Indian national allegedly detained and handcuffed at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, following the viral spread of a video that sparked outrage on social media. According to top sources, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has raised the matter with the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, while Indian diplomatic missions in Washington, D.C. and New York are in contact with American authorities to gather more details.
“So far, we have not received any official information regarding the incident,” said an MEA official on Tuesday. “We are working to determine the circumstances under which the student was restrained, whether he boarded a flight, and what his intended destination was. We are continuing to follow up.”
The controversy erupted after an Indo-American entrepreneur posted a video on social media claiming he had witnessed a young Indian student being forcibly restrained and deported at Newark Airport. The video shows the student, visibly distressed and in handcuffs, lying on the ground.
“I witnessed a young Indian student being deported from Newark Airport last night — handcuffed, crying, treated like a criminal,” the businessman wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “He came chasing dreams, not causing harm. As an NRI, I felt helpless and heartbroken. This is a human tragedy.”
The Indian Consulate General in New York acknowledged the incident and responded swiftly.
“We have come across social media posts claiming that an Indian national is facing difficulties at Newark Liberty International Airport,” the consulate said in a statement posted to X. “We are in touch with local authorities and remain fully committed to the welfare of Indian nationals.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in India issued a firm statement on Tuesday, reiterating its immigration policy stance. “The United States continues to welcome legitimate travelers to our country,” the embassy said in a social media post. “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 incident comes amid heightened immigration enforcement measures in the United States. Over the weekend, protests erupted in downtown Los Angeles as National Guard troops were deployed in response to immigration raids across California.
The unrest follows a sweeping proclamation signed by former President Donald Trump last week, which bans entry from 12 countries—including Afghanistan, Iran, and Yemen—citing national security concerns. The proclamation also imposes partial travel restrictions on nationals from seven additional countries such as Cuba, Laos, and Venezuela.
According to the White House, the measures are intended to compel foreign governments to improve security cooperation and help enforce U.S. immigration law. “These restrictions are necessary to advance foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism objectives,” the statement read.
The travel ban includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry is deemed to be in the national interest of the United States.
The Indian government is expected to continue pressing for answers and assurances from U.S. authorities as outrage over the Newark incident continues to spread online. (Source: IANS)
