The Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) introduced Friday it has revoked the visa of 1 Columbia College scholar and arrested one other particular person concerned within the pro-Palestinian protests, escalating its crackdown on these engaged in demonstrations over the battle in Gaza.
The stripping of the visa comes simply days after the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a former grad scholar on the college, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Khalil has a inexperienced card, which may solely be revoked by an immigration choose.
However Ranjani Srinivasan, a citizen of India and doctoral scholar in city planning at Columbia College, had her F-1 scholar visa revoked on March 5, in line with DHS.
The federal company mentioned Srinivasan “was involved in activities supporting Hamas, a terrorist organization,” sharing a video of her passing by means of airport safety.
Columbia mentioned it might not touch upon particular person college students.
One other protester, Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from the West Financial institution, was arrested by ICE for allegedly overstaying her F-1 scholar visa.
Kordia’s visa was terminated in January 2022 for lack of attendance, and she or he was arrested in April 2024 over her involvement within the pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
“Columbia has no record of this individual being registered as a current or former student at the University,” a college spokesperson mentioned.
An official with the college mentioned there isn’t any file that Kordia was arrested on campus or concerned in campus actions. The college believes she was arrested exterior the varsity on public streets.
DHS didn’t give specifics in regards to the alleged actions of both scholar.
In saying Srinivasan’s departure, DHS promoted its new app, the CBP Dwelling App, including that the Srinivasan used the app’s new “self-deport” function by importing her journey plans and indicating her intent to depart 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 below fireplace by free speech specialists for releasing few particulars in regards to the international college students it has focused and probably conflating their First Modification proper to protest with unlawful actions equivalent to giving a terrorist group financial assets.
F-1 scholar visa holders solely have 15 days to depart the nation after the visas are revoked.
Scholar visas will be revoked for a number of causes, together with legal issues, extended absence from college, giving incorrect info or altering faculties with out permission.
The announcement exhibits an growth 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 house to be held in Louisiana.
His legal professionals 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 Particular person 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 focusing on international 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 carried out or who was the goal.
Up to date at 3:06 p.m. EDT
