Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student at Columbia University, has voluntarily left the United States after her visa was revoked by the Department of State on March 5, 2025. The decision to revoke her visa came amid allegations that she had supported Hamas, the militant group responsible for attacks on Israel. Srinivasan used the CBP Home App to self-deport on March 11, 2025, following the cancellation of her visa. This incident is part of a broader crackdown on foreign students in the US, particularly those associated with pro-Palestinian protests that have taken place across American campuses in recent months.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed Srinivasan’s self-deportation and issued a statement emphasising the US government’s commitment to revoking visas for individuals suspected of supporting terrorism. “When you advocate for violence and terrorism, that privilege should be revoked,” Noem stated, reflecting the Trump administration’s tough stance on individuals involved in such activities.
Srinivasan’s academic background and research focus
Ranjani Srinivasan, a Fulbright recipient, was pursuing a doctoral degree in Urban Planning at Columbia University. She holds an M.Phil in Urban Planning from Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP), as well as a Master’s in Design from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Design from CEPT University in India. According to her biography on NYU Wagner’s official website, her research focused on the political economy of development and land-labour relations in peri-urban areas of India. While her academic work did not directly link her to violent activities, her participation in pro-Palestinian protests raised suspicions regarding her political affiliations.
The US government’s response to her actions
The Department of Homeland Security’s decision to revoke Srinivasan’s visa was based on the claim that she was involved in supporting Hamas, a group labelled as a terrorist organisation by the US government. While specific details about her actions were not disclosed, her involvement in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University reportedly raised red flags. In a video shared by Secretary Noem, Srinivasan is seen hurriedly walking through an airport, pulling a suitcase, as she used the CBP Home App to facilitate her departure.
What is the CBP Home App?
Launched by the Trump administration, the CBP Home App is designed to assist individuals in self-deporting from the United States. The app allows undocumented immigrants or those with revoked visas to declare their intent to leave the country. It also offers features such as checking border wait times and applying for provisional immigration documentation. Srinivasan’s use of this app to leave the US is a sign of her compliance with the government’s order to exit following the visa revocation.
This case highlights the increasing scrutiny of foreign students and their affiliations amidst the intensifying tensions related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. While the specifics of Srinivasan’s alleged support for Hamas remain unclear, her self-deportation reflects the broader political landscape of immigration policies under the current US administration.
