Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian citizen studying at the Columbia University in the United States, self-deported after her visa was revoked.
The Department of State revoked her visa on March 5 for allegedly "advocating for violence and terrorism" and for being involved in activities supporting Hamas.
Ranjani used the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App to self-deport on March 11, according to the video footage obtained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
### **Who is Ranjani Srinivasan?**
Ranjani came to the US on a F-1 student visa as a doctoral student in Urban Planning at Columbia University.
According to the NYU Wagner’s official website, she is a Doctoral Candidate in Urban Planning from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP). Ranjani is a Fulbright recipient and also holds an M.Phil in Urban Planning from GSAPP. She has also done her Master’s in Design from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) in Design from CEPT University.
DHS said that Ranjani became involved in activities which were deemed to support the officially designated terrorist organisation, Hamas.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, in a statement issued, said: “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.”
### **What is the CBP Home app Rajani used to self-deport?**
The CBP Home app was launched by the Department of Homeland Security on March 10 with a self-deportation reporting feature.
Those staying illegally in the US can use the CBP Home app to submit their application to leave the country voluntarily. Self-deportation gives the individual a chance to return to the US legally in future, which is not the case if Department of Homeland Security finds him or her and deports the person.