Priyanka Tiwari
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Ranjani Srinivasan, a 37-year-old PhD student at Columbia University, fled the United States on March 11 after her F-1 visa was revoked by the State Department on March 5. She reportedly left her belongings and cat with a friend before taking a last-minute flight from LaGuardia Airport to Canada.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Srinivasan “self-deported” through the CBP Home App. Officials confirmed her departure with video evidence.
Visa Cancellation and Federal Scrutiny
Srinivasan first learned of her visa cancellation through an email from the US Consulate in Chennai on March 5. She sought assistance from Columbia’s international student office, but within days, federal immigration agents began visiting her apartment. By March 7, feeling unsafe, she decided to leave the country.
“I fear that even the smallest political speech or social media post can turn into a nightmare,” she told The New York Times.
Her departure was tense, as federal agents arrived at her door while she finalized travel plans. “I was on the phone with a friend in Canada when I heard the doorbell. I panicked,” she recalled. Her roommate had to explain to the agents that she had already left.
Allegations of Extremist Ties and Political Crackdown
The US government alleged that Srinivasan had supported pro-Palestinian protests and had links to Hamas, though no concrete evidence was presented. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated, “When you advocate for violence and terrorism, your privilege to stay in the United States should be revoked.”
A Fulbright scholar who had built a life in the US, Srinivasan expressed shock at being targeted. “I never imagined something like this would happen to me. Now, I am trying to figure out what comes next,” she said.
Federal Investigations at Columbia University
On March 14, federal agents executed search warrants at Columbia University residences, including Srinivasan’s dormitory. No arrests were made, but the searches were part of an ongoing investigation into student activism. Columbia’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, affirmed that the university prioritizes campus safety while expecting law enforcement to follow due process.
Debate Over Academic Freedom and Visa Policies
Srinivasan’s case has intensified discussions on US campus protests, student visa regulations, and academic freedom. As tensions rise, universities and advocacy groups are closely watching how the government handles student activism and immigration policies.
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