An Indian student at Columbia University has self-deported after her visa was revoked over allegations of advocating for violence and terrorism and involvement in activities supporting Hamas.
Ranjani Srinivasan, a citizen and national of India, entered the United States on an F-1 student visa as a doctoral student in Urban Planning at Columbia University, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated on Friday.
The department added that Srinivasan was “involved in activities supporting” Hamas, a terrorist organisation.
The Department of State revoked her visa on March 5.
The DHS reported obtaining video footage of Srinivasan using the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App to self-deport on March 11.
Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, stated, “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 sympathisers use the CBP Home app to self-deport.”
The CBP Home app, launched on March 10, includes a self-deportation reporting feature for individuals staying illegally in the country.
The DHS stated, “The CBP app gives such individuals the option to ‘leave now and self-deport, so they may still have the opportunity to return legally in the future and live the American dream. If they don’t, we will find them, we will deport them, and they will never return.'”
In a related case, Palestinian student Leqaa Kordia was arrested by ICE HSI Newark officers for overstaying her expired F-1 student visa. Kordia’s visa terminated on January 26, 2022, due to lack of attendance.
She had previously been arrested in April 2024 for involvement in pro-Hamas protests at Columbia University, according to DHS.
The Trump administration recently announced the immediate cancellation of approximately USD 400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University, citing “the school’s continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.”
The action was taken by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Education (ED), and the US General Services Administration (GSA) as members of the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism.
The Education Department stated that Columbia University holds over USD 5 billion in federal grant commitments. President Donald Trump asserted that colleges or universities allowing illegal protests and failing to protect students from anti-Semitic harassment would face federal funding cuts.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon remarked, “Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, Jewish students have faced relentless violence, intimidation, and anti-Semitic harassment on their campuses — only to be ignored by those who are supposed to protect them. Universities must comply with all federal anti-discrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding. For too long, Columbia has abandoned that obligation to Jewish students studying on its campus… We demonstrate to Columbia and other universities that we will not tolerate their appalling inaction any longer.”
In the spring of last year, pro-Palestinian protests against the Gaza war erupted across US campuses, including Columbia University, which saw encampments on the West Lawn since April 19.
The Trump administration also detained Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil for leading campus protests against Israel.
Khalil, a legal permanent resident of Palestinian heritage, was sent to a detention centre in Louisiana.
On Thursday, the Columbia University Judicial Board issued sanctions to students involved in the occupation of Hamilton Hall last spring during the Gaza protests. The sanctions included multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions.
“With respect to other events taking place last spring, the UJB’s determinations recognised previously imposed disciplinary action. The return of suspended students will be overseen by Columbia’s University Life Office. Columbia is committed to enforcing the University’s Rules and Policies and improving our disciplinary processes,” the university said.
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