Srinivasan's troubles began when she became entangled in the government's crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests. Despite no evidence being provided, she was accused of supporting violence and links to Hamas.

Srinivasan’s situation is part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on pro-Palestinian demonstrators through the use of federal immigration powers. She is one of several noncitizens at Columbia University who have been targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in recent days.

Ranjani Srinivasan described her experience as “dystopian nightmare” where she felt at risk after fleeing the US. The third visit of the agents with judicial warrant didn't see Srinivasan at her home.