An Indian student pursuing a doctoral degree at Columbia University has self-deported from the United States following the revocation of her student visa over alleged involvement in “activities supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation”.
Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian national and a PhD student in Urban Planning at Columbia University, left the country after her visa was revoked by US authorities on March 5. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated late on Friday evening, “Srinivasan was involved in activities supporting Hamas, a terrorist organisation. On March 5, the Department of State revoked her visa. DHS has obtained video footage of her using the CBP Home App to self-deport on March 11.”
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said, “It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence and terrorism, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country. I am glad to see one of the Columbia University terrorist sympathiser use the CBP Home App to self-deport.”
The developments come amid a broader crackdown on students and institutions by President Donald Trump-led administration over alleged ties to extremist organisations, raising concerns over academic freedom and immigration policies in the US.
Apart from Srinivasan, Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian student from the West Bank, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Newark for overstaying her student visa, which had expired on January 26, 2022 due to lack of attendance. Kordia was previously detained in April 2024 for participating in pro-Hamas protests at Columbia University, a DHS statement said.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has also intensified its crackdown on Columbia University, warning of federal funding cuts if the institution fails to implement a series of measures by March 20. In a letter addressed to the institution’s interim president, Dr Katrina Armstrong, the administration outlined a series of measures that must be implemented as a precondition for continued federal funding.
The letter, issued late on Thursday night, stated, “Columbia University has fundamentally failed to protect American students and faculty from antisemitic violence and harassment in addition to other alleged violations of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” It called for the immediate enforcement of disciplinary policies, including the expulsion or multi-year suspension of students involved in campus disruptions. Additionally, it demanded the abolition of the University Judicial Board and the centralisation of disciplinary actions under the Office of the President.
Further, the administration has sought a permanent ban on masks intended to conceal identities, except for religious or medical reasons, and mandated that masked individuals display their Columbia ID cards prominently. Other measures include placing the Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies (MESAAS) department under academic receivership for at least five years and reforming admissions processes to align with federal law and policy.
