Columbia student flees to Canada after visa is revoked over Hamas support
- Ranjani Srinivasan's student visa was revoked by U.S. immigration authorities, leading to her need to leave the country.
- Srinivasan fled to Canada using the CBP Home app after federal agents searched for her at her university apartment.
- The case has sparked discussions about the implications of political speech on immigration status.
In the United States, Ranjani Srinivasan, a Columbia University doctoral student from India, faced serious immigration consequences after her student visa was revoked by U.S. immigration authorities in March 2025. Her visa's revocation followed her involvement in pro-Hamas protests, and she had previously signed a letter criticizing Israel shortly after a significant terrorist attack by Hamas. As a result of the visa revocation, Columbia University notified Srinivasan that her enrollment had been terminated due to her legal status being compromised. Days later, federal agents began searching for her at her university apartment, prompting her to flee to Canada using the CBP Home app for self-deportation. The situation surrounding Srinivasan raises crucial questions about freedom of speech and the impact of political activism on immigration status. The Trump administration, represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, asserted that they would pursue individuals who had obtained visas under false pretenses, claiming that Srinivasan's pro-Hamas involvement warranted her removal from the United States. In statements made during a press conference, Rubio emphasized the government's commitment to revoking visas of individuals involved in activities deemed contrary to national interests. The revocation was reportedly based in part on Srinivasan's failure to disclose prior legal issues related to her activism when she renewed her visa. This has highlighted the complexities involved in the intersection of immigration law, political expression, and personal safety, particularly for international students in politically sensitive environments. Srinivasan expressed concerns over the chilling effect such actions have on academic freedom and the potential for individuals to be classified as terrorists based simply on their political views or expressions. Furthermore, the case of Srinivasan forms part of a larger narrative involving several other activists at Columbia University whose visas were also revoked or threatened due to their political activities. The national dialogue surrounding such cases reflects broader societal tensions regarding support for Palestine and condemnation of Israeli policies. The actions taken by U.S. immigration authorities suggest an aggressive shift in policy towards individuals engaging in activism perceived as controversial, leaving many students questioning their safety and freedom of expression on campus.