Ranjani Srinivasan Case: What Is Self-Deportation? How Is It Different From Voluntary Departure? Explained

Last Updated:March 15, 2025, 16:04 IST

Indian student Ranjani Srinivasan left the US voluntarily through the 'CBS Home' app amid a crackdown on pro-Palestine protesters. However, the US also has a provision for 'voluntary departure'.

Ranjani Srinivasan self-deported after her visa was revoked by the Trump administration for supporting pro-Palestine protests. (X/Reuters)

On March 10, the Trump administration launched the ‘CBP Home’ app, an overhaul of the CBP One App, to encourage migrants to “self-deport" rather than face possible arrest or detention. Days later, Indian doctoral student Ranjani Srinivasan left the US voluntarily after her visa was revoked following her support for pro-Palestinian protests.

The US Department of State confirmed that she self-deported on March 11, 2025, using the CBP Home App, and video footage of the process has been obtained. US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed the self-deportation. Ranjani Srinivasan was accused of supporting Hamas as a wave of pro-Palestinian protests swept the Columbia University and other US campuses last year during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

The self-deportations are a unique element to US President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Trump has vowed to deport record numbers of migrants in the US illegally, with about 37,660 people deported during the president’s first month in office, according to Reuters. However, the US also has an option for ‘voluntary departures’, which differ from ‘self-deportations’.

Let’s take a closer look at ‘self-deportations’ and ‘voluntary departure’ in the United States and how they work:

What Is CBS Home App?

The US Customs and Border Protection app, called CBP Home, is a replacement for the CBP One app that was launched under former President Joe Biden, which earlier allowed immigrants to schedule an appointment to request entry at a legal border crossing.

After vehement criticism from Republicans, who said the app facilitated mass migration to the United States, Trump shut down CBP One hours after taking office. He revamped the app to ‘CBP Home’, which offered migrants to voluntarily ‘self-deport’ from the country rather than being deported formally.

This is part of a $200 million “Stay Out and Leave Now" ad campaign by the Trump administration, with warnings from Homeland Security that those living illegally in the US should depart voluntarily, otherwise they will be caught and permanently barred from returning.

Why Was CBP Home Was Launched?

Trump’s extensive mass deportation plan faces logistical and financial limits as he is appealing to Congress for more funding to deport illegal immigrants. The wave of deportations has slowed down since January, and this initiative is an effort to convince migrants to leave themselves rather than face arrest and detention.

“The CPB Home strengthens our mission to secure the border and provides illegal aliens with a straightforward way to leave now before facing much harsher consequences later," White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing.

How Does The ‘Self-Deportation’ App Work?

The app has a new feature that allows people to announce their “intent to depart" from the US. The app also asks users to confirm whether they have “enough money to depart the United States" and if they possess a “valid, unexpired passport from your original country of citizenship."

The app also allows users to apply and pay for I-94 entry and exit cards up to seven days before travel, schedule inspections for perishable cargo, and check wait times at US border crossings, according to a report by the BBC.

What Is ‘Voluntary Departure’?

In the case of a voluntary departure, an immigration judge decides whether or not any person can stay in the US or not, can give an order for voluntary departure, according to the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project.

However, not everyone would be able to ask for voluntary departure. For example, any person who has committed an aggravated felony like murder, rape or sexual abuse of a minor can not avail voluntary departure and is likely to be deported. Those who tried unsuccessfully to enter the US before or who availed voluntary departure would also not be able to avail this.

A voluntary depature is a lengthy process encompassing a few hearings and a verdict, while self-deportations have been made easier through the app.

It is important to keep in mind that even if the person has not committed an aggravated felony, the judge can deny their request for voluntary departure. The person has to pay for their bus and plane ticket.

How Is ‘Voluntary Departure’ Different From ‘Self-Deportations’?

A voluntary departure is different from self-deportation in some key aspects. A voluntary depature is a lengthy legal process encompassing a few hearings and a verdict, while self-deportations are more of an informal choice made by an individual.

Voluntary departure generally happens when an individual is detained by the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and is facing removal, where they can choose to leave the country on their own accord. Self-deportations can happen anytime without any intervention from authorities.

A voluntary judge includes an immigration judge, while self-deportations are based on a person’s personal choice without any formal involvement. A person is given a limited time period to leave the US in the case of a voluntary departure, while in case of self deportations that person can leave immediately.

How Does ‘Voluntary Departure’ Work In US?

The concerned person will have to attend a few hearings, known as master calendar hearings, where they will be in court with a group of other detainees. The judge will decide the case for a voluntary departure.

The judge will consider several factors, such as immigration history, criminal record, length of stay, ties to the US and humanitarian factors before granting voluntary departure. If the government attorney representing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does not object, the judge may allow a request for voluntary departure.

However, if the attorney does object, the judge can ask the person to either accept deportation or go for a contested hearing. It is important for the person to have all required documents, including letters of support and give a truthful and sincere testimony during the contested hearing. If they opt for deportation straight away, they will never be able to opt for voluntary departure again.

Is ‘Voluntary Departure’ Better Than Self-Deportation?

The consequences of voluntary departures and self-deportations depend upon the individual’s history. In most cases, a voluntary departure is a better option as it does not carry the stigma or penalties of a formal deportation and allows people to avoid the lengthy bans – which can be 5, 10 or 20 years – on their re-entry to the US. These people can also apply for waivers on re-entry bans.

In the case of self-deportations, the person may be able to avoid the humiliating process of a formal deportation and maintain control over the procedure without the hassles of any legal intervention. However, they still have a record of leaving the US and may be subject to longer re-entry bans and restrictions from applying for future immigration applications. In short, it does not offer the same legal protections.

Self-deportations are the best sought after measure if an individual wants to leave the US quickly, but voluntary departure provides of a more favourable immigration record.

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

News world Ranjani Srinivasan Case: What Is Self-Deportation? How Is It Different From Voluntary Departure? Explained