Thu Mar 27 14:43:15 UTC 2025: ## Indian PhD Student Flees US, Accuses Columbia University of Betrayal After Visa Revocation

**Toronto, Canada** – Ranjini Srinivasan, a 37-year-old Indian PhD student, has accused the US government of revoking her student visa and labelled her a “terrorist sympathizer,” forcing her to flee to Canada. Srinivasan, a Fulbright recipient nearing completion of her doctorate in public planning at Columbia University, claims she was targeted for her views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Srinivasan alleges that her visa was revoked in March following an email from the US Consulate in Chennai. Hours later, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents visited her apartment, prompting her to flee. She subsequently escaped to Canada on March 11th, with CCTV footage of her departure from LaGuardia Airport circulating widely on social media. Four days later, US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicly labeled Srinivasan a terrorist sympathizer on X (formerly Twitter).

While the US government has not publicly presented evidence to support the accusations, Srinivasan asserts she was unjustly targeted for her political views. She expressed fear that even mild political expression could lead to such dire consequences. “I’m fearful that even the most low-level political speech… can turn into this dystopian nightmare,” she told Al Jazeera.

Srinivasan, who claims to have completed all requirements for her PhD, feels betrayed by Columbia University, stating she dedicated countless hours to her studies. She is appealing to the university to reinstate her and award her degree. However, Columbia has yet to issue a public statement regarding the situation.

Srinivasan’s case raises concerns about the potential targeting of students based on their political beliefs and the lack of transparency in the US visa revocation process. She currently resides in Canada, awaiting a resolution to her situation with a mixture of uncertainty and hope.

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