Indian student self-deports after visa revoked for terrorism

Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student at Columbia University, voluntarily left the U.S. after her visa was revoked on March 5, 2025. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security accused her of supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist group. Srinivasan used the CBP Home App to self-deport on March 11. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated that advocating for violence and terrorism justifies visa revocation. This incident follows the arrest of another student, Leqaa Kordia, for overstaying her visa, and Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist facing deportation. Both were involved in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.