Who is Ranjani Srinivasan, the Indian student at Columbia University who self-deported after visa revocation?

The Trump administration revoked the visa of Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian citizen and doctoral student, “for advocating for violence and terrorism” 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that an Indian doctoral student from Columbia University, whose visa was revoked for allegedly supporting Hamas, has voluntarily left the United States.

Who is Ranjani Srinivasan?

Ranjani Srinivasan, a citizen and national of India, entered the United States on a F-1 student visa as doctoral student in Urban Planning at Columbia University.

According to the the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Srinivasan was involved in activities supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. On March 5, 2025, the Department of State revoked her visa. The Department of Homeland Security has obtained video footage of her using the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App to self-deport on March 11.

In a post on X, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem issued a statement regarding the deportation: “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 sympathizers use the CBP Home App to self-deport.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security had, on March 10, launched the CBP Home app with a self-deportation reporting feature for those illegally staying in the country. Individuals illegally staying in the country can use the CBP Home mobile phone application to submit their intent to depart the country.

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”, the Homeland Security Department said.

Another student Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from West Bank, was arrested by immigration officers for overstaying her student visa. She was the second person arrested who participated in Pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.

The announcement comes after the recent arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist who helped lead student protests at the school and is facing deportation.

Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump heralded Mr. Khalil’s arrest as the first “of many to come,” vowing on social media to deport students he said engage in “pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Published - March 15, 2025 08:12 am IST