Indian Columbia Student Self-Deports After U.S. Visa Revocation Over Alleged Hamas Ties

Ranjani Srinivasan fled to Canada after her visa was canceled, citing accusations of supporting terrorism, which her lawyers strongly deny.

Ranjani Srinivasan, a 37-year-old Indian doctoral student at Columbia University, left the U.S. after her visa was revoked on March 5 for alleged ties to Hamas, a claim she denies.
Srinivasan described her experience as a 'dystopian nightmare,' expressing fears for her safety and concerns about the suppression of political speech.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security accused her of advocating violence but provided no evidence, while her lawyers argue the visa revocation violated due process.
Her departure follows a broader immigration crackdown by the Trump administration targeting pro-Palestinian activists, including other students at Columbia University.
Columbia University has faced federal funding cuts and pressure to act against campus activism following last year’s protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.