Ranjani Srinivasan’s story begins as many others do: with the promise of a bright future and the belief that hard work and determination can lead to success. A graduate student at Columbia University, she came to the US from India to pursue a master’s degree in computer science. What was meant to be a stepping stone to greater opportunities, however, quickly turned into an ordeal that would lead her to leave the country she had hoped to call home.
As international students across the country began to feel the impact of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies, Ranjani’s situation worsened. Visa restrictions, job search barriers, and a climate of hostility toward foreign nationals put her dreams in jeopardy. Despite her best efforts to navigate the shifting immigration landscape, Ranjani found herself caught in a web of bureaucratic hurdles and mounting anxiety.
The tipping point came when she realized that staying in the US was no longer a viable option. With no way to secure a work visa or remain in the country legally, Ranjani made the heart-wrenching decision to leave the US for good.
Her departure is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by international students in today’s political climate. While Ranjani’s skills and potential were undeniably valuable, the policies she faced left her with little choice but to abandon her dreams in the US and return home.
