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Visa misuse uproar over Indian student’s detention
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The US government’s message is clear: genuine students are welcome, but any misuse of the system will be dealt with firmly.
In the wake of a viral video showing an Indian student in handcuffs at Newark Airport, the US Embassy has issued a stern warning against visa abuse and illegal immigration, reported india.com.
Emphasizing that “there is no right to enter the United States,” the embassy reiterated that while the US welcomes genuine visitors and international students, it will not tolerate violations of immigration laws.
The embassy stated that new visa restrictions are now in effect, targeting foreign government officials and others involved in facilitating illegal immigration. It further warned that countries failing to repatriate their nationals from the US may face sweeping visa sanctions, making it more difficult for their citizens to travel to America.
The video, shared by MIT alumnus Kunal Jain, described the treatment of the Indian student as “deeply troubling.” It sparked widespread concern and prompted calls for intervention by Indian authorities.
Since President Trump’s return to office in January 2025, around 1,080 Indian nationals have been deported, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs. One notable case was that of Ranjani Srinivasan, a PhD student at Columbia University, whose visa was revoked over alleged security concerns.
Despite these measures, the US continues to be a preferred destination for international education. In the 2023–24 academic year, over 1.1 million international students studied in the US, including 332,000 from India.
