Indian Student at Columbia University Accused of Terrorism Support, Seeks Return After Deportation

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): 37-year-old Ranjani Srinivasan, a Ph.D. student at Columbia University, was recently forced to self-deport after her U.S. student visa was revoked. Her deportation came after her fellow student, Mahmood Khalil, was detained just before she was set to leave for Canada, causing her to fear she might face a similar fate.

Ranjani, an Indian student, had never anticipated that her academic journey would end with her being branded a "terrorist supporter." Last week, she voluntarily reported herself to the authorities in the U.S., adding to the uncertainty and fear she already felt following Khalil’s arrest. The situation left her feeling unsafe and uncertain about her future.

After the cancellation of her visa, Ranjani decided to return to her home country. Now, as she looks to the future, she hopes Columbia University will reconsider her case and offer her admission once again, allowing her to continue her education.

The tale of Ranjani's unexpected deportation and the uncertainty that followed serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges international students can face, even when their academic pursuits are interrupted by unforeseen political and legal complications.