'Packed suitcase, left cat with friend, flew to Canada': PhD scholar recalls rushed US exit

NEW DELHI: The 37-year-old PhD scholar at Columbia University, Ranjani Srinivasan, who self-deported after her F-1 visa was revoked, has said she decided to leave the US fearing for her safety, The New York Times said in a report.

- HTC and Agencies

Srinivasan said she packed a suitcase, left her cat behind with a friend, and boarded a flight to Canada from LaGuardia airport, the report stated. Her departure was swift, and by the time the agents returned the next evening with a judicial warrant, Srinivasan was already in Canada.

Srinivasan's visa was revoked in early March. NYT reported that she received an email from the US Consulate in Chennai on March 5 informing her of the development, citing "information that has come to light," but without further explanation.

On March 7, federal immigration agents arrived at her offcampus apartment in New York for the first time and Srinivasan did not open the door. The agents returned the next night when she was not at home. The third visit by the agents was on March 13, when they showed up with a judicial warrant and entered Srinivasan's home. The student had escaped by then, the report said.

Srinivasan said that soon after her student visa was revoked, the university withdrew her enrolment because her legal status had been terminated.