“He Came Chasing Dreams, Not Causing Harm”: Outrage Over Indian Student’s Humiliating Deportation at US Airport
A distressing video from Newark Airport in New Jersey has stirred anger and heartbreak across social media. It shows a young Indian student being handcuffed, pinned to the floor, and later deported by US immigration authorities—a scene many have described as deeply inhumane and tragic.
The incident reportedly occurred on June 7, when the student, speaking in Haryanvi, was due to board a flight but never made it past immigration. Kunal Jain, an Indian-American entrepreneur who was also at the airport, captured the incident and posted it on social platform X, describing the student as “crying, disoriented, and treated like a criminal.”
“This poor kid’s parents probably have no idea what he’s going through,” Mr Jain wrote. “He came to the US chasing dreams, not to cause harm.”
According to Mr Jain, the student appeared confused and unable to explain his purpose of visit to the immigration officers. After hours of questioning, he was restrained and deported. Mr Jain said he’s witnessed a worrying trend of Indian students being sent back from US airports for similar reasons, despite holding valid visas.
The video has sparked a firestorm of criticism. Many have called for urgent action from the Indian Embassy in the US and Foreign Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. Others have questioned the broader immigration process, expressing concern over rising incidents where Indian nationals are detained and deported without proper communication or legal assistance.
“This is a human tragedy,” Mr Jain said in his emotional appeal, tagging Indian officials. “As an NRI, I felt helpless watching it unfold.”
While the video has generated sympathy and calls for justice, it has also triggered debate online. Some users questioned whether the student had followed proper visa procedures, while others pointed out that regardless of the reason, no one should be treated in such a dehumanising way.
“He may have made a mistake, but he should’ve been treated with dignity—called the embassy, informed his family. Not pinned down like a criminal,” one user wrote.
The incident has become a stark reminder of the challenges Indian students and visitors can face abroad—even after clearing visa formalities—and has reignited conversations about the need for stronger consular support and immigration awareness campaigns.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
