Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student in Urban Planning at Columbia University who self-deported after the Trump administration revoked her student visa, expressed her emotional state, saying she was ‘fearful’ that even a low-level of political speech could turn into a ‘dystopian nightmare’.
The US Department of State revoked the visa of 37-year-old Ranjani Srinivasan on March 5, accusing her of participating in activities that support Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. This decision was part of a broader crackdown on foreign nationals involved in pro-Palestinian protests, particularly those at Columbia University.
“I’m fearful that even the most low-level political speech or just doing what we all do — like shout into the abyss that is social media — can turn into this dystopian nightmare where somebody is calling you a terrorist sympathizer and making you, literally, fear for your life and your safety,” Srinivasan told The New York Times in an interview on Friday.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that it had obtained video footage of Srinivasan using the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App to self-deport on 11 March. A day earlier, on 10 March, the department introduced the CBP Home app, which includes a self-deportation reporting feature for individuals residing in the country unlawfully.
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Srinivasan came under the administration's radar with legal trouble when she was arrested outside Columbia University. It was the same day when pro-Palestinian protestors occupied Hamilton Hall. She was detained during a police crackdown on protestors while passing through the crowd while returning from a picnic, the New York Times reported.
She was pushed by police and arrested despite not being part of the protest. She was arrested for obstructing traffic and refusing to disperse. Srinivasan’s case was dismissed in no time. Her lawyers and court documents confirm that she did not face any criminal charges after that, the report added.
Srinivasan Took Flight To Canada
According to the NYT’s report, Srinivasan took a last-minute flight to Canada after discovering that her visa had been cancelled. Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian citizen and national, arrived in the United States on an F-1 student visa to pursue a doctorate in Urban Planning at Columbia University.
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Earlier this week, the Trump administration announced the immediate withdrawal of around USD 400 million in federal grants and contracts from Columbia University, citing “the school’s continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students."