• Source:JND
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As the Trump administration ramps up its immigration enforcement, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has endorsed a new mobile application designed to assist individuals in self-deportation. The endorsement came shortly after an Indian Columbia University student, Ranjani Srinivasan, used the app to leave the United States.

Musk shared his approval on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “New app to assist in self-deportation!” His statement has sparked debate, with some viewing it as a technological innovation while others criticise it as facilitating forced departures.

The CBP Home App was originally developed to help asylum seekers schedule appointments. However, under the Trump administration’s stricter immigration policies, the app has been repurposed to enable voluntary self-deportation, allowing individuals to leave the country before facing possible detention or deportation proceedings.

Ranjani Srinivasan, 37, became one of the first known individuals to use the app for self-deportation. After learning that her visa had been revoked, she packed a few belongings, left her pet with a friend, and departed from LaGuardia Airport for Canada.

Why Was Srinivasan’s Visa Revoked?

The US Department of State revoked Srinivasan’s visa on March 5, citing alleged support for the Palestinian group Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the US government. According to a Department of Homeland Security statement, she was “involved in activities supporting” Hamas.

Reports suggest that Srinivasan had been in the US since 2016. While there was no direct evidence of criminal activity, CNN reported that her online activity included sharing and liking posts about the war in Gaza. In 2023, she also signed an open letter by the Society of Architectural Historians advocating for Palestinian liberation.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem reacted to the case, labeling Srinivasan a “terrorist sympathiser” in a post on X, arguing that individuals who “advocate terrorism and violence” should not remain in the US.

In a statement to CNN, Srinivasan defended her actions, arguing that she was penalised for exercising her right to free speech. “Having my visa revoked and then losing my student status has upended my life and future — not because of any wrongdoing, but because I exercised my right to free speech,” she stated.



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