Washington DC [USA], March 15 (ANI): Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian citizen who was pursuing a doctorate at Columbia University, chose to depart from the United States following the revocation of her visa due to allegations that she promoted violence and terrorism.
On Friday (local time), US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem issued a statement indicating that Srinivasan, who studies Urban Planning at Columbia University, chose to self-deport through the use of the CBP Home App.
Yesterday, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated that as per a DHS statement, one of the Columbia University students whose student visa was rescinded due to promoting violence and terrorism chose to leave the country through the CBP Home App, while ICE apprehended a Palestinian student for remaining beyond the allowed period under an invalidated F-1 visa.
On March 5, the US Department of State rescinded Srinivasan's visa, citing her alleged engagement in activities that support Hamas.
"Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian citizen and national, arrived in the United States with a F-1 student visa to pursue a doctorate in Urban Planning at Columbia University. She engaged in actions backing Hamas, a recognized terrorist group. Her visa was annulled by the Department of State on March 5, 2025. Subsequently, the Department of Homeland Security acquired video evidence showing she utilized the CBP Home App for voluntary deportation on March 11," according to the statement released.
Furthermore, Secretary Noem stated that having a U.S. visa is considered a privilege.
"Having a visa to reside and study in the United States of America is an honor. If someone endorses violence and terrorism, they shouldn’t enjoy such privileges and ought to leave the country. It’s satisfying to observe one of the Columbia University supporters of terror utilizing the CBP Home application to voluntarily depart," she posted on X.
In a similar incident, another student named Leqaa Kordia—a Palestinian from the West Bank—was apprehended by ICE HSI Newark agents due to an overstay of her expired F-1 student visa. The document stated that her visa had ended on January 26, 2022, because she failed to maintain regular attendance.
Earlier, in April 2024, Kordia was detained due to her participation in pro-Hamas demonstrations at Columbia University in New York City, as mentioned in the statement. (ANI)