The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that an Indian doctoral student from Columbia University, Ranjani Srinivasan, has self-deported after her student visa was revoked over allegations of supporting Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. Srinivasan, a doctoral student in Urban Planning, entered the US on an F-1 student visa. According to DHS, she participated in activities that were deemed supportive of Hamas, which led to the US State Department revoking her visa on March 5, 2025.
She officially left the country on March 11, 2025, using the newly launched CBP Home App — a mobile application designed to facilitate voluntary self-deportation for undocumented individuals and those whose visas have been terminated. DHS confirmed that video footage of her departure has been obtained as part of the process.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem released a strongly worded statement addressing the situation, declaring, “It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence and terrorism, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country. I am glad to see one of the Columbia University terrorist sympathizers use the CBP Home App to self-deport.”
The incident has sparked intense debate, especially amid growing tensions surrounding free speech, student activism, and national security. Supporters of Srinivasan argue that the definition of “supporting Hamas” remains vague, with some speculating that her activism may have been misinterpreted. Civil liberties groups have raised concerns about whether the move sets a precedent for targeting international students involved in political causes.
In a separate but related incident, another student, Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian national from the West Bank, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers in Newark. Kordia had overstayed her F-1 student visa, which was officially terminated on January 26, 2022, due to non-compliance with attendance requirements.
The DHS recently introduced the CBP Home App to encourage voluntary self-deportation, positioning it as a more humane, streamlined, and cost-effective alternative to traditional deportation processes. The app allows individuals to report their departure directly to Customs and Border Protection, submit documentation, and avoid the more aggressive methods associated with forced removals.
Critics of the app argue that it normalizes self-deportation under pressure, while supporters contend it offers individuals a chance to leave on their own terms without detention or legal battles. This latest development highlights the intersection of immigration policy, national security, and student activism, with growing calls for transparency on how such deportation decisions are made.
The Columbia University community remains divided, with some students and faculty expressing outrage over what they call an infringement on academic freedom, while others maintain that any association with groups labeled as terrorists is unacceptable, regardless of context. As the debate unfolds, legal experts predict more cases like Srinivasan’s could emerge, especially with the DHS ramping up monitoring of international students involved in political demonstrations.
