Sun Mar 16 10:10:30 UTC 2025: ## Indian Doctoral Student Flees US After Visa Revocation Over Alleged Hamas Ties

**New York, NY –** Ranjani Srinivasan, a 37-year-old doctoral student in urban planning at Columbia University, has fled the United States after her student visa was revoked on March 5th. The U.S. Department of State cited unspecified security concerns and alleged involvement in activities supporting Hamas as the reason for the revocation.

Srinivasan, who holds master’s degrees from Columbia and Harvard Universities, denies the allegations. She claims her involvement in pro-Palestinian activism led to the accusations, and that she was given no evidence to support the claims of supporting violence or having links to Hamas. Following a visit from federal immigration agents, she left the country for Canada, leaving behind her apartment and cat. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed her departure, stating she “voluntarily self-deported.”

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem defended the decision on social media, asserting that advocating for violence and terrorism forfeits the privilege of a U.S. visa. However, Srinivasan, in an interview with The New York Times, expressed fear and uncertainty, stating the situation felt “volatile and dangerous,” and raising concerns about a potential crackdown on free speech. She fears that even mild political speech could lead to similar accusations and consequences.

Srinivasan’s case highlights the increasing scrutiny of individuals and organizations perceived to support Hamas, and the growing trend of visa revocations based on national security concerns. While the DHS emphasizes its commitment to enforcing visa regulations, the lack of publicly available evidence supporting the allegations against Srinivasan has raised concerns among some regarding due process and the potential chilling effect on political activism. Srinivasan’s impressive academic background, specializing in land-labour relations and political economy, further underscores the implications of this case.

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