Sat Mar 15 07:42:46 UTC 2025: ## Indian Student Self-Deports After US Revokes Visa Over Pro-Palestine Activism

**New York, March 14, 2025** – Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student at Columbia University, has self-deported from the United States following the revocation of their student visa. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cited Srinivasan’s participation in pro-Palestine protests as the reason for the visa cancellation, alleging advocacy of violence and terrorism linked to Hamas.

Srinivasan’s visa was revoked on March 5th, and DHS confirmed that they used the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) app to self-deport on March 11th. This action avoided potential deportation via military aircraft, a method recently used for other individuals.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicly confirmed Srinivasan’s self-deportation on social media, stating that individuals who advocate violence and terrorism should not be in the US. Secretary Noem’s statement highlighted the privilege of a US visa and emphasized the consequences of such actions.

Srinivasan, who uses they/them pronouns, was pursuing a doctorate in urban planning at Columbia University. Their impressive academic background includes degrees from CEPT University, Harvard University (with Fulbright Nehru and Inlaks Scholarships), and experience with environmental advocacy non-profits.

This incident follows a series of actions against pro-Palestine activists at Columbia University. Last week, former student Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian national, was arrested and had his green card revoked, though his deportation is temporarily on hold. Another student, Leqaa Kordia, was arrested last year for visa overstay and involvement in similar protests.

The US Justice Department and DHS are currently investigating whether Columbia University was harboring undocumented individuals on campus. The university has been the site of significant student-led pro-Palestine protests in the wake of the recent Israel-Hamas conflict.

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