Indian student and Fulbright scholar Ranjani Srinivasan, who left the United States following the revocation of her visa due to alleged support for Hamas, has criticized Columbia University for its lack of support. In an interview with Al Jazeera, the Urban Planning PhD candidate expressed her disillusionment, stating, “I never expected the institution to let me down. But it did.” Despite her abrupt exit, she remains hopeful that the university will allow her to resume her studies. The 37-year-old scholar was forced to depart the U.S. and seek asylum in Canada after receiving an email from the U.S. Consulate in Chennai notifying her of her visa cancellation. She left for Canada on March 11, shortly after her visa was revoked on March 5, and before U.S. immigration officials began searching for her. Concerned about the possibility of detention, she arranged a last-minute flight to Canada.Srinivasan contends that her outspoken advocacy for Palestinian rights and her criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza made her a target. While she acknowledged participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, she emphasized that she was not affiliated with any organized groups at Columbia.
Additionally, she pointed out that she was outside the U.S. for a significant portion of April 2024, during a time when campus protests intensified. The Department of Homeland Security indicated that Srinivasan “self-deported” using the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App, which permits undocumented immigrants to file an ‘intent to depart’ form for voluntary exit. However, she clarified that her travel was conducted under a visitor visa she had previously secured for academic purposes. Having been in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa, Srinivasan is uncertain about her safety should she consider returning, even if her visa were to be reinstated. “I hope Columbia comes to its senses and re-enrolls me,” she remarked to Al Jazeera, asserting that she has completed all her PhD requirements and could finalize her remaining work remotely. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security revoked her visa, accusing her of “advocating for violence and terrorism” and categorizing her as a “terrorist.” Srinivasan has strongly denied these accusations, calling them baseless.
