Wednesday, June 11, 2025
The United States Embassy in India has issued a formal advisory cautioning Indian nationals against misusing their visas. This follows the widespread circulation of a video showing an Indian student in handcuffs at Newark Liberty International Airport, which has sparked alarm among students and travelers alike.
The viral video, which has garnered significant attention online, shows a visibly upset Indian student being restrained by airport officials in what appears to be a deportation process. While details surrounding the student’s case remain unclear, the footage has stirred public concern and highlighted growing anxiety within the Indian student community in the United States.
The Indian Consulate General in New York has acknowledged the incident and confirmed that it has engaged with American authorities to gather more information. However, officials have not disclosed the student’s identity, visa classification, or the specific reasons behind the removal from the country.
This incident comes at a time when the US government is actively intensifying immigration enforcement under current policy frameworks. The administration has expanded its deportation efforts in recent months, targeting undocumented individuals and those suspected of visa violations. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched multiple operations across the country, leading to the detention of individuals who are now held in federal facilities awaiting removal.
The scope of enforcement is not limited to undocumented immigrants. Increasingly, individuals on valid visas—particularly students—are finding themselves under scrutiny. Authorities have also revived a list of countries with travel restrictions, now including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Citizens from these nations are currently barred from entering the US, except in exceptional humanitarian circumstances.
Tensions have further escalated on college campuses. In 2024, several student visa holders were disciplined or placed under investigation following their participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The Department of Homeland Security has advised universities to closely monitor foreign students and report any involvement in activities deemed politically sensitive or disruptive.
The immigration debate has also triggered public unrest in major US cities. On June 8, 2025, the federal government ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to protests against ongoing immigration raids and student detentions. These demonstrations, organized by student groups and migrant rights organizations, intensified after federal agents intervened in campus protests calling for an end to deportations and visa revocations.
Indian students, who make up a substantial portion of the international student body in the US, have voiced deepening concerns. According to 2024 data from US government sources, Indian nationals accounted for over 27% of all international student enrollments—making them one of the largest groups in the country’s higher education system. Despite the absence of any specific visa crackdown targeting Indian nationals, recent developments have created a sense of insecurity among this community.
The video of the detained student has amplified fears of arbitrary enforcement and opaque removal procedures. Many students worry that increasing immigration pressure could lead to more such cases without proper explanations or safeguards.
While Indian officials continue to seek clarity regarding the specific circumstances surrounding the student’s deportation, they have yet to confirm whether any visa regulations were violated. In the meantime, the US Embassy’s warning serves as a reminder for Indian nationals to strictly comply with visa conditions and remain informed about evolving immigration policies.
The situation highlights a broader trend of tightened immigration controls, growing tension between civil liberties and enforcement, and the uncertain landscape that international students and travelers must now navigate more carefully than ever before.
