A disturbing video of an Indian national being forcefully restrained at Newark Liberty International Airport has gone viral, sparking outrage in India and among the Indian diaspora worldwide.
The youth, who hails from Haryana, was reportedly detained by United States authorities after allegedly entering the country illegally without a valid visa.
The video, filmed by Indian-American entrepreneur Kunal Jain and shared on social media on June 8, shows at least four officers from the Port Authority Police wrestling the young man to the ground, pinning him with their knees and handcuffing him as he cried and pleaded.
His legs and arms were tied as he lay on the airport floor, raising questions about the treatment of detained individuals.
Mr Jain, who witnessed the incident firsthand, 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.”
The video quickly gained traction online, drawing a wave of sympathy and anger, reported NDTV.
In response, the Indian Consulate in New York issued a statement confirming they were in touch with US authorities and monitoring the case. “The individual, who is from Haryana, entered the US without a valid visa and is being deported in accordance with a court order,” a source familiar with the case told India Today.
Authorities further stated that during his transit through Newark, the youth’s “behaviour was found not conducive to travel”, prompting airport security to intervene.
He was subsequently admitted to a medical facility and will be deported to India once declared fit for travel.
The US embassy in New Delhi weighed in on the controversy with a firm message.
It reiterated that, while the US welcomes legitimate travellers, it has a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal entry and visa abuse.
The incident comes amid heightened enforcement of immigration laws under President Donald Trump’s administration.
US authorities have ramped up deportations and border control, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to enter or remain in the country without proper documentation.
The case has also led to concerns about a broader trend.
Mr Jain suggested that several Indian nationals may be facing similar treatment at US airports. “Every day, three-four such cases are happening. These children get their visas, board a flight and are sent back in the evening, tied up like criminals,” he posted.
Adding to the concern, investigators found that the detained individual was questioned for five to six hours, but reportedly could not provide adequate responses during his immigration interview.
One observer noted that a Hindi-speaking officer was called in to communicate with him, but the youth’s answers failed to satisfy authorities.
Despite the serious breach of immigration laws, many are now questioning the methods employed by law enforcement.
“There are protocols for such situations,” said a legal analyst. “Restraint should be used proportionally, and basic dignity must be preserved, especially when dealing with non-violent individuals.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has yet to release a formal statement, but sources indicate that consular officials are actively engaged with their American counterparts to ensure due process and humane treatment for the individual.
