College student, yet again under ICE scrutiny, claims no participation in demonstrations
Rewritten Article:
investigation surrounding a student named Ranjani Srinivasan, who allegedly transportation from the United States after a visit from federal immigration agents, has led to a disputed narrative regarding her departure. The 37-year-old Indian national, a Fulbright Scholarship recipient, claims she's being targeted for voicing her opinions, not for any wrongdoing.
According to Srinivasan, she didn't take part in the protests that shook Columbia University's campus last year and isn't associated with the Israel-Hamas war protests. However, the Department of Homeland Security labeled her as one of two Columbia University students targeted for immigration action under the Trump administration's crackdown on foreign students involved in such protests.
Srinivasan, a resident of the US since 2016 when she enrolled at Harvard University, asserts she didn't participate in any campus protests. Her online activity primarily consisted of sharing and liking posts spotlighting human rights issues in Gaza, and in December of 2023, she endorsed an open letter in support of "Palestinian liberation."
Acting as an architect and pursuing her doctoral degree at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at Columbia, she was expected to graduate this year. As she left the country last week, Srinivasan experienced complications with her academic standing; her enrollment was revoked without explanation from the university, and she's unsure if she can complete her long-pursued degree.
In a statement to CNN, Srinivasan expressed her sentiments, stating, "Having my visa annulled and then losing my student status has drastically disrupted my life and future – not due to any wrongdoing, but for exercising my right to free speech."
Columbia University declined to comment on Srinivasan's academic status when contacted. Although Srinivasan claims she didn't participate in protests last year, she was arrested the night students occupied Hamilton Hall, resulting in numerous student arrests.
Srinivasan's legal team states that she was detained returning home from a night out with friends, and as she approached her Columbia University apartment, she found the streets barricaded, with authorities denying access to her apartment during the chaos. She was issued a court summons and charged with obstruction and disrupting public order, but both charges were dropped, and she faced no disciplinary action.
Immigration officers visited student without a warrant – attorneys claim
Srinivasan was informed about the revocation of her visa two weeks ago by the US Consulate in India. Upon seeking help from Columbia University's International Student Services Office, she was told that visa cancellations sometimes occur, and she could apply for a new visa if she left the country. They assured her she would maintain legal status as an enrolled student and could continue her teaching duties at Barnard College.
However, immigration officers appeared at Srinivasan's door during this conversation, a situation her attorneys assert she didn't allow them to enter. The following night, the authorities returned and questioned Srinivasan, happening simultaneously with the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent Palestinian activist involved in campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war.
Khalil, who is lawfully residing in the US, remains in an ICE detention facility in Louisiana. His wife, who is eight months pregnant, was present during his arrest. Khalil completed his master's degree at Columbia University in December and was detained by federal agents on March 8, according to his lawyer, who claims the Trump administration revoked his permanent residency status.
During the demonstration that followed Khalil's arrest, nearly 100 people were taken into custody at Trump Tower in Manhattan. Protesters were gathering to condemn Khalil's detainment. Khalil's legal team filed a motion for his release last Friday, arguing that his First Amendment and due process rights were violated during his arrest.
Srinivasan departed the US for Canada by Tuesday, citing distress over the administration targeting international students for expressing free speech. In a statement, she stated, "American universities are meant to be spaces where students can learn and engage in discussions without fear of retaliation. I simply want to complete my studies so I can finish what I started."
DHS Secretary Noem shared a video on social media platforms showing Srinivasan going through an airport as she left the country, claiming that she "voluntarily deported" herself with the aid of a US Customs and Border Protection app. However, Srinivasan's legal team rejects this assertion, stating:
"Despite being innocent, Ms. Srinivasan booked a flight to comply with US law, which provided her with a 15-day deadline to depart after DHS illegally terminated her student status. The fact that DHS claims she 'voluntarily deported' via a CBP app only highlights the administration's fabrications instead of facts."
CNN reached out to DHS officials for comment. The DHS confirmed that Srinivasan's visa was revoked because of an archaic legal statute allowing the secretary of state to intervene if they believe a non-citizen's actions could result in "potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences" for the US. The Trump administration has reportedly been using this little-known law to target foreign students involved in protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
While the administration asserts that Srinivasan neglected to disclose the two traffic citations in her visa application, it is unclear whether this is the principal reason for her visa revocation.
- Srinivasan, who was enrolled as a student in the United States since 2016, left the country in 2023, citing concerns over targeted actions against her for expressing her free speech.
- Despite the Department of Homeland Security's labeling of Srinivasan as one of two Columbia University students targeted for immigration action, she states that she didn't participate in protests, including those related to the Israel-Hamas war.
- In the spring of 2023, Srinivasan was issued a court summons and charged with obstruction and disrupting public order, but both charges were dropped, and she faced no disciplinary action from Columbia University.
