"you should not be in this country."
An Indian student at Columbia University has self-deported after their visa was revoked.
The Department of State took action against Ranjani Srinivasan, a student in Urban Planning, citing allegations of supporting violence and terrorism.
The Justice Department is investigating whether Columbia concealed “illegal aliens” on its campus.
Officials are looking into whether the university allowed foreign students involved in anti-Israel protests to remain in the US despite visa violations.
The investigation is part of a broader crackdown on visa holders suspected of supporting extremist groups.
The Trump administration confirmed that Srinivasan’s F-1 student visa was revoked on March 5, 2025, for “advocating for violence and terrorism”.
Video footage showed the Indian student using the CBP Home App to self-deport on March 11 and go to Canada.
This marks one of the first known cases of a student at an Ivy League institution self-deporting after the administration’s latest enforcement measures.
Officials did not specify what evidence linked Srinivasan to advocating violence.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem 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’m glad to see one of the Columbia University terrorist sympathisers use the CBP Home app to self-deport.”
CBP Home, formerly an app for migrants seeking asylum, now allows individuals without legal status to voluntarily leave the US.
The administration has promoted self-deportation as a cost-effective alternative to forced removal.
The app is designed to streamline the departure process, reducing costs and legal complexities for the federal government.
EXCLUSIVE: FOX News obtains video of Columbia protester/student Ranjani Srinivasan, a national from India, self-deporting to Canada using the CBP Go App… seen here in the black hoodie.
DHS sources confirm her F-1 Visa has been revoked..
DHS Sec Noem says in a statement:
“It… pic.twitter.com/hdtvjntW71— Griff Jenkins (@GriffJenkins) March 14, 2025
Pete Flores, acting commissioner for US Customs and Border Protection, said:
“The app provides illegal aliens in the United States with a straightforward way to declare their intent to voluntarily depart, offering them the chance to leave before facing harsher consequences.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department is working with DHS to investigate Columbia University.
He said: “Just last night, we worked with the Department of Homeland Security to execute search warrants from an investigation into Columbia University for harbouring and concealing illegal aliens on its campus,
“That investigation is ongoing, and we are also looking at whether Columbia’s handling of earlier incidents violated civil rights laws and included terrorism crimes.”
The federal government has been increasing scrutiny on universities regarding compliance with immigration laws.
Critics argue that such actions target academic institutions unfairly, while supporters claim they are necessary to maintain national security.
Columbia University has not publicly commented on the investigation or Srinivasan’s case.
However, legal experts suggest the case could set a precedent for how student visa holders are monitored in the future.
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