An Indian national was handcuffed and pinned to the ground by officials at Newark Airport in the United States, with videos of the incident quickly going viral on social media. In response, the Indian government formally raised the issue with the US Embassy in New Delhi. The individual’s identity has now been revealed.
According to the Indian Embassy, he is a resident of Haryana and had attempted to enter the United States illegally, and was restrained during his transit in Newark. He is currently unfit to travel and will be deported to India once he is medically cleared.
Entered US illegally
“With regard to a social post about an Indian national detained at Newark Airport in New Jersey in the United States, our Consulate in New York has ascertained that the individual who belongs to Haryana had entered the United States illegally without a valid visa and was being deported back to India as per a court order,” ANI quoted a source as saying.
The source added, “During his transit in Newark, on finding his behaviour not conducive for travel, he was restrained and admitted to a medical facility.”
“Once he is fit to travel, the individual will be deported to India. Our Consulate in New York continues to remain engaged with the US authorities on this matter,” the source further said.
“The Ministry has formally raised the matter with the US Embassy in New Delhi. Our Embassy in Washington DC and the Indian Consulate in New York have also been in touch with the US authorities to ascertain the details,” sources in the Ministry said.
How did the matter come to light?
The disturbing video of the individual went viral after an Indian-American entrepreneur, Kunal Jain, shared it online. Jain, who witnessed the event firsthand, said that the young man appeared visibly distressed and was crying as Port Authority Police officers restrained him.
Jain described the treatment of the Indian national as a “human tragedy” and said that, as an NRI, he felt “helpless” and “heartbroken”.
“I witnessed a young Indian student being deported from Newark Airport last night,” Jain said, adding that the Indian was crying as he was 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 further said.
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“These children get their visas and board a flight in the morning. For some reason, they are unable to explain the reason for their visit to immigration authorities and are sent back on the evening flight, tied up like criminals,” he further expressed. “Every day, 3-4 such cases happen.”
