New Delhi: The United States Embassy in India has issued a strong statement cautioning Indian travellers against visa violations and illegal entry into the country, following the circulation of a viral video showing an Indian student in handcuffs at Newark Liberty International Airport.

“We 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 US law,” the US Embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.

The remarks come in the wake of a video shared by Indian-American entrepreneur Kunal Jain, which shows a visibly distressed Indian student being escorted in handcuffs by US airport officials. Jain claimed the student was treated like a "criminal" and was being deported to India.

Responding to the incident, the Consulate General of India in New York said it had taken note of the video and was in contact with 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,” the Consulate posted on social media platform X.

The incident coincides with US President Donald Trump's intensified immigration policies. The Trump administration has recently introduced a travel ban on nationals from 12 countries and stepped up enforcement measures, including crackdowns on foreign students following widespread pro-Palestinian protests across US campuses in 2024.