In a striking case that has reverberated across academic and political spheres, an Indian doctoral student at Columbia University has faced the abrupt cancellation of her U.S. student visa due to alleged support for Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.
Ranjani Srinivasan, a 28-year-old pursuing a PhD in Urban Planning, self-deported from the United States after the Department of State revoked her F-1 visa, marking a significant escalation in the U.S. government’s crackdown on foreign students linked to controversial activism.
The incident underscores the tightening grip of immigration policies under the Trump administration and raises questions about the intersection of free speech, national security, and international education.
Srinivasan’s troubles began amid heightened tensions at Columbia University, a focal point for pro-Palestinian protests since the Israel-Hamas conflict intensified.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleges that Srinivasan engaged in activities that crossed the line from advocacy into support for Hamas, though specifics remain limited.
Sources indicate her involvement in campus demonstrations, some of which reportedly featured chants and rhetoric deemed sympathetic to the group. The U.S. classifies Hamas as a terrorist entity, and any perceived endorsement can trigger severe legal repercussions, including visa cancellation. The State Department acted swiftly, terminating Srinivasan’s visa and leaving her with few options but to leave the country.
Visa Cancellation: Swift Action and Immediate Fallout
The fallout was immediate. Srinivasan, who had entered the U.S. legally to pursue her academic ambitions, used the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App to self-deport, a move confirmed by DHS video footage. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem hailed the departure as a victory for national security, stating, “It’s a privilege to study in the United States. When you advocate for violence and terrorism, that privilege is revoked.”
Her exit followed a week of turmoil at Columbia, where the Trump administration also slashed $400 million in federal grants, citing the university’s failure to curb antisemitism and radical activism on campus.
This visa cancellation is part of a broader policy shift targeting foreign students suspected of supporting terrorist groups.
The administration’s “Catch and Revoke” initiative, spearheaded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, employs AI-driven tools to monitor student activities and enforce immigration laws.
Srinivasan’s case is not isolated another Columbia student, Leqaa Kordia from Palestine, was recently arrested for overstaying her visa after participating in similar protests.
The measures reflect a zero-tolerance stance, with Rubio asserting, “The U.S. won’t harbor supporters of Hamas disrupting our universities.” Critics, however, argue that such policies risk conflating legitimate protest with extremism, potentially stifling dissent.
Visa Cancellation: Broader Implications and Debate
For Srinivasan, the consequences are personal and profound. Her academic journey, once a source of pride for her family in India, has been derailed.
Colleagues describe her as a dedicated scholar whose research focused on equitable urban development, not political agitation. Yet, the lack of transparency around the evidence against her beyond DHS claims of supporting Hamas has fueled debate.
Posts on X reveal a polarized public: some cheer the deportation as a necessary safeguard, while others decry it as an overreach that punishes free expression. Was she a vocal activist or a scapegoat in a broader political agenda?
The incident casts a long shadow over international students in the U.S., particularly those navigating politically charged climates.
Columbia, already under scrutiny for its handling of campus unrest, now faces heightened pressure to balance academic freedom with compliance.
As investigations continue, Srinivasan’s visa cancellation serves as a stark warning: in an era of surveillance and swift retribution, the line between protest and peril is razor-thin, and the cost of crossing it can be exile from the American dream.
