A Controversial Visa Revocation
In a move that has intensified debates over academic freedom and national security, an Indian PhD student at Columbia University, Ranjani Srinivasan, has self-deported following the revocation of her U.S. visa. The Donald Trump administration claimed that Srinivasan was “advocating for violence and terrorism” and had ties to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by the United States. The decision marks the latest development in the administration’s crackdown on campus activism linked to pro-Palestinian protests.
Allegations and Visa Cancellation
Srinivasan, a doctoral student in Urban Planning at Columbia, had entered the United States on an F-1 student visa. However, on March 5, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked her visa, citing her alleged involvement in activities supporting Hamas. Officials provided no further details regarding the specific actions that led to the decision but asserted that evidence had been gathered against her.
On March 11, Srinivasan used the newly launched CBP Home App to self-deport, officially documenting her departure. The DHS confirmed the process in a statement, highlighting that it was part of broader enforcement measures targeting individuals accused of supporting extremist groups.
Parallel Cases and Government Crackdown on Campus Activism
The case of Ranjani Srinivasan is not isolated. Shortly before her self-deportation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested another Columbia University student, Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian national, for overstaying her F-1 visa. Kordia had been involved in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia and was detained after her visa had been terminated due to lack of attendance.
The Trump administration has increasingly scrutinized campus protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza, equating them with support for Hamas. Columbia University has been a particular focal point, with the government expressing concerns over the institution’s handling of demonstrations. In response, Trump’s administration recently canceled $400 million in federal funding to Columbia, citing its alleged failure to address antisemitic harassment on campus.
Columbia University Under Pressure
The U.S. government has taken an aggressive stance against Columbia’s Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies (MESAAS) department, calling for it to be placed under “academic receivership.” This measure would transfer control to an external authority as a form of punitive oversight. The administration has set a deadline of March 20 for Columbia to comply, warning that non-compliance could lead to further financial penalties.
The university has yet to issue a formal response regarding Srinivasan’s case but has been under increasing scrutiny for its handling of politically charged student activism.
Ranjani Srinivasan’s Background and Academic Work
Srinivasan, originally from India, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Design from CEPT University in Ahmedabad. She pursued her master’s in Critical Conservation at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design on prestigious Fulbright Nehru and Inlaks Scholarships. Her doctoral research at Columbia focused on caste rights within extractive economies in post-colonial India, receiving support from the Lakshmi Mittal South Asia Institute.
She has also worked as a project associate for an environmental conservation non-profit in Washington, D.C., and as a field researcher for international development agencies in South Asia. Despite her academic contributions, the Trump administration determined that her activities in the U.S. warranted visa revocation.
The New CBP Home App and Self-Deportation Initiative
Srinivasan’s departure was facilitated by the recently launched CBP Home App, introduced on March 10. The app allows individuals staying in the U.S. unlawfully to self-report their departure, with the promise of improved chances of legal re-entry in the future. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem underscored the administration’s stance, stating: “If they don’t leave voluntarily, we will find them, we will deport them, and they will never return.”
This initiative is part of Trump’s broader immigration policy, which prioritizes the removal of individuals deemed a national security risk.
Possible Outcomes and Implications
The revocation of Srinivasan’s visa and her subsequent self-deportation highlight the Trump administration’s stringent policies on student visas, particularly concerning political activism. While her supporters argue that her removal sets a dangerous precedent for academic freedom, the government maintains that it is acting in the interest of national security.
Columbia University may face additional federal scrutiny, particularly if it refuses to comply with the administration’s demand for academic receivership. Meanwhile, international students and scholars engaged in activism may find themselves under increased surveillance and legal risk.
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election looms, cases like these could become even more politically charged, influencing debates on immigration, free speech, and national security policies.
