In a significant escalation of its immigration enforcement policies, the Trump administration has revoked the visas of some foreign students at Columbia University.
According to the Daily Mail, This clampdown involves allegations of supporting terrorism and has led to heightened scrutiny of the university itself.
Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student studying Urban Planning at Columbia University, found herself at the center of this controversy. On March 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of State revoked her visa. Srinivasan, who entered the U.S. on an F-1 visa, was accused of engaging in activities in support of Hamas, a group classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
Following the revocation of her visa, Srinivasan utilized the CBP Home app to self-deport to Canada on March 11, 2025. The CBP Home app, recently renamed to facilitate voluntary departures, is aimed at individuals wishing to leave the U.S. without facing legal consequences.
The actions taken against individual students are part of a broader investigation into Columbia University. The administration accuses the institution of harboring illegal aliens and possibly violating terrorism and civil rights laws. This inquiry included the execution of search warrants at two university residences, although these initial searches did not lead to any arrests.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the gravity of the situation in a recent statement. Blanche detailed efforts to investigate the university's compliance with federal laws, specifically those related to harboring individuals with no legal status in the U.S.
Alongside Srinivasan, other students have also faced legal challenges. Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian holder of a green card, was detained due to his involvement in anti-Israel protests and alleged links to Hamas. Furthermore, Leqaa Kordia, a West Bank student who overstayed her F-1 visa, was arrested in Newark, New Jersey for similar reasons.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem publicly supported the crackdown, stating that advocating for violence and terrorism should lead to revocation of privileges such as visas. Noem praised the effectiveness of the self-deportation app, underscoring its role in this enforcement strategy.
"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," Noem articulated during a press briefing.
Acting Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Pete Flores, also chimed in on the discussion, describing the CBP Home app as a straightforward method for individuals to express their intent to leave the U.S. voluntarily. This mechanism, he noted, helps avoid the harsher consequences of illegal residency.
Further support for the stringent measures came from U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, who remarked on the stringent policies governing student visas and green cards. Rubio stressed that these are privileges that can be denied for almost any reason, especially if the visa holders engage in activities deemed incompatible with U.S. laws.
"This is not about free speech. This is about people who don't have the right to be in the United States to begin with," Rubio explained, highlighting that the action taken was not only about upholding the law but also protecting national security.
The recent events at Columbia University are reflective of a broader national debate on immigration and national security, especially concerning the presence of foreign students in U.S. educational institutions. These incidents underscore the complexity of balancing security concerns with the rights and freedoms that are hallmarks of American educational and cultural exchange.
As the Trump administration continues to enforce these stringent measures, the impact on global academic collaboration and the personal lives of international students remains under scrutiny. The situation at Columbia University is particularly indicative of the broader implications for higher education in the U.S., where international students play a significant role.
The outcome of these investigations and policy decisions will likely influence not only current but also future international students considering the U.S. for their higher education.
