The Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) introduced Friday it has revoked the visa of 1 Columbia College pupil and arrested one other, escalating its crackdown on college students engaged in protests over the battle in Gaza.
The stripping of the visa comes simply days after the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a former grad pupil on the college, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Khalil has a inexperienced card, which might solely be revoked by an immigration choose.
However Ranjani Srinivasan, a citizen of India and doctoral pupil in city planning at Columbia College, had her F-1 pupil visa revoked on March 5, in accordance with DHS.
The federal company mentioned Srinivasan “was involved in activities supporting Hamas, a terrorist organization,” sharing a video of her passing by way of airport safety.
One other Columbia pupil, Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from the West Financial institution, was arrested by ICE for allegedly overstaying her F-1 pupil visa.
Kordia’s visa was terminated again in January of 2022 for lack of attendance, and she or he was arrested in April 2024 over her involvement within the pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
DHS didn’t give specifics concerning the alleged actions of both pupil.
In saying Srinivasan’s departure, DHS promoted its new app, the CBP Residence App, including that the Srinivasan used the app’s new “self-deport” function by importing her journey plans and indicating her intent to go away the nation.
“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,” Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem mentioned in a press release.
The Trump administration has been beneath hearth by free speech consultants for releasing few particulars concerning the overseas college students it has focused and doubtlessly conflating their First Modification proper to protest with unlawful actions equivalent to giving a terrorist group financial assets.
F-1 pupil visa holders solely have 15 days to go away the nation after the visas are revoked.
Scholar visas could be revoked for a number of causes, together with legal considerations, extended absence from faculty, giving incorrect info or altering faculties with out permission.
The Hill has reached out to Columbia College for remark.
The announcement reveals an enlargement of exercise since ICE arrested Khalil, a lead negotiator through the Columbia pro-Palestinian encampment final spring.
Immigration and civil rights advocates have blasted the transfer, calling it an abuse of federal immigration authorities to focus on free speech.
Khalil’s attorneys have sued to get his case moved to New York after ICE took him greater than 1,000 miles away from his dwelling to be held in Louisiana.
His attorneys famous Khalil has but to be charged with against the law, and it’s nonetheless unclear what actions the federal authorities focused him over.
The Basis for People Rights and Expression has despatched a letter to the Trump administration demanding to know the explanation for the arrest.
Federal officers, together with President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, mentioned Khalil’s detention was solely the start of concentrating on overseas college students who participated within the encampments.
“We will find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country — never to return again,” Trump mentioned. “If you support terrorism, including the slaughtering of innocent men, women, and children, your presence is contrary to our national and foreign policy interests, and you are not welcome here. We expect every one of America’s Colleges and Universities to comply.”
The DHS announcement comes a day after its brokers searched two Columbia dorm rooms, with the college saying the brokers obtained two judicial warrants however gave no details about why the search was performed or who was the goal.
