Ranjani Srinivasan, the Indian national who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University, departed voluntarily from the United States after her visa was canceled. The Department of Homeland Security posted video evidence of her rushing through an airport, verifying that she departed on Tuesday, March 11. Her visa was canceled for alleged support of violence and terrorism, with charges of associating with Hamas, a labeled terrorist organization.
The US Justice Department is investigating whether Columbia University concealed “illegal aliens” on campus, amid increasing efforts by the Trump administration to deport foreigners involved in pro-Palestinian protests. The investigation follows the intensification of deportation campaigns, particularly targeting individuals with alleged ties to Hamas.
Controversy on Columbia University
Columbia University has been under hot fire since the Trump administration revoked $400 million in federal funding, including research grants for medicine, because the university did not quell protests against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The university has been under pressure for not cracking down more on pro-Palestinian student and faculty supporters.
Ranjani Srinivasan’s Self-Deportation Process
On March 5, the State Department withdrew Ranjani Srinivasan’s visa. A video later confirmed she used the CBP Home App to self-deport. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a video on social media, in which Srinivasan could be seen with her luggage at LaGuardia Airport.
Independent Arrest of Leqaa Kordia
Leqaa Kordia, a protester, was picked up in Newark, New Jersey, for staying beyond the validity period of her visa. Columbia University did not have any information about Kordia ever being a student or participating in campus protests, although protests were happening close to the university around the same time.
The measures against Srinivasan and others are in line with President Trump’s larger aim to fight antisemitism in the US. The Justice Department probe and the administration’s revocation of visas are part of a larger effort against individuals who harbor pro-Hamas views on US campuses.
