Ranjani Srinivasan, a 37-year-old Indian doctoral student, self-deported to Canada after her U.S. student visa was revoked due to her pro-Palestinian activism, branded her a “terrorist sympathiser.” She described her experience as a “dystopian nightmare” and left quickly after immigration officials visited her home, fearing for her safety.

Ranjani Srinivasan, a 37-year-old Indian doctoral student in urban planning at Columbia University, self-deported after her student visa was revoked. The U.S. Department of State canceled her visa on March 5, citing security concerns due to her alleged support for pro-Palestinian activities linked to Hamas. Such actions led Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to label her a “terrorist sympathiser” via social media.

Currently residing in Canada, Srinivasan described her experience as a “dystopian nightmare,” expressing concern that political speech could lead to severe repercussions. She emphasized, “I’m fearful that even the most low-level political speech…can turn into this dystopian nightmare where somebody is calling you a terrorist sympathiser.”

Srinivasan’s social media involvement primarily involved sharing posts on human rights violations during the Gaza war, leading her to feel unexpectedly targeted. Her decision to leave the U.S. followed a visit from federal immigration officials, prompting her fear that the situation was “volatile and dangerous.”

To avoid forced deportation, Srinivasan opted to self-deport, packing her belongings and leaving her cat with a friend. She had been conducting research on land-labour relations in India and had previously received educational accolades, including scholarships from Harvard and CEPT University. Srinivasan’s research interests include urbanization, political economy, and historical geographies of capitalism and caste.

Ranjani Srinivasan’s self-deportation illustrates the complexities faced by international students amid politically charged environments. The swift revocation of her visa, based on perceived support for a controversial cause, underscores the potential for political activism to lead to serious personal consequences. Her experience serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of engaging in political discourse in the current sociopolitical climate.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com

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