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.

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.

Ranjani Srinivasan is an Indian national who was pursuing a doctoral degree in Urban Planning at Columbia University on an F-1 student visa.