Washington D.C. : Indian national Ranjani Srinivasan, a doctoral student at Columbia University, has voluntarily left the United States after her visa was revoked for allegedly advocating violence and terrorism.
Visa Revocation and Self-Deportation
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that Srinivasan self-deported on March 11, 2025, using the newly launched CBP Home App, following the revocation of her student visa on March 5.
In an official statement, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated, “A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right. When an individual promotes violence and terrorism, that privilege should be revoked.”
Heightened Scrutiny on International Students
Srinivasan’s visa revocation comes amid growing scrutiny of international students in the U.S., particularly after a surge in pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses.
The DHS release noted that Srinivasan, who was pursuing a Ph.D. in Urban Planning, was linked to activities supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.
CBP Home App and Self-Deportation
The CBP Home App, launched on March 10, allows individuals living in the U.S. without legal status to voluntarily report their departure. DHS officials confirmed that they obtained video evidence of Srinivasan using the app before leaving the country.
Related Case: Palestinian Student Arrested
In a similar case, Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian student from the West Bank, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Newark for overstaying her expired F-1 student visa.
Kordia was previously arrested in April 2024 for participating in pro-Hamas protests at Columbia University.
Additionally, Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate and U.S. permanent resident of Palestinian descent, was detained for organizing anti-Israel protests on campus. He has since been transferred to an immigration detention center in Louisiana.
Trump Administration’s Actions Against Columbia University
Last week, the Trump administration revoked $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University, citing its failure to address antisemitic incidents and harassment of Jewish students.
On March 13, Columbia University’s Judicial Board announced disciplinary actions against students who participated in last year’s Gaza demonstrations and occupied Hamilton Hall.
