Not a right to visit US: Embassy’s message amid Indian student handcuffing row

Following the handcuffing and deportation of an Indian student from Newark Airport in the United States, the US embassy in India has said that although the country continues to welcome legitimate travellers, they won’t tolerate illegal entry, abuse of visas or violation of US law. It also said that there is no right to visit the United States.

“The United States continues to welcome legitimate travelers to our country. 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,” wrote the US Embassy in India on X.

The issue sparked off after a video of the handcuffing incident was shared on social media by a NRI who wrote that the student was treated like a criminal by the officials.

“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,” he wrote on X.

According to social media user Kunal Jain, a social entrepreneur, the student was speaking in Haryanvi, insisting that he wasn’t crazy, but the authorities were trying to make him look that way.

“These children get their visas and get on a flight in the morning. For some reason, they are unable to explain the reason for their visit to the immigration authorities and are sent back in the evening flight tied up like criminals. Every day 3-4 such cases are happening. There have been more such cases in the last few days,” Jain said.

Following the incident, The Indian consulate in New York took cognisance of the matter based on social media posts and assured the they are in touch with the local authorities.

“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,” New York Consulate General of India wrote on X. “The Consulate remains ever committed for the welfare of Indian Nationals.”

This comes amid the US government’s intensified crackdown on international students by revoking visas without prior notice. From pro-Palestine protests to traffic violations, the reasons have varied case by case, often plunging students into a legal quagmire and widespread confusion.