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Federal authorities arrested a Columbia University student early Thursday, sparking campus protests and allegations of deceptive tactics by immigration agents, only to release her hours later following an unexpected intervention from President Donald Trump.
Ellie Aghayeva, a senior from Azerbaijan studying neuroscience and politics, was detained at 6 a.m. when federal agents entered her university-owned residence. According to Columbia’s acting president Claire Shipman and a petition filed by Aghayeva’s lawyers, the agents gained entry by claiming they were police searching for a missing child.
“Security cameras captured agents in a hallway showing pictures of the alleged missing child,” Shipman said in a video statement released Thursday night.
Moments after her arrest, Aghayeva managed to post a desperate message to her more than 100,000 Instagram followers: “DHS illegally arrested me. Please help.” The post included what appeared to be a photo of her legs in the backseat of a vehicle.
In a remarkable turn of events, Aghayeva was released the same day after New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani raised her case directly with President Trump during an unrelated meeting. “I am safe and okay,” Aghayeva wrote on Instagram shortly after her release, adding she was in “complete shock” from the experience.
The incident highlights the unusual relationship between Trump and Mamdani, a democratic socialist whom the Republican president once threatened to deport. During their meeting, Mamdani also reportedly urged Trump to drop deportation cases against several other current and former Columbia students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
The Department of Homeland Security claims Aghayeva’s student visa had been terminated in 2016 for failure to attend classes. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said Aghayeva had been “placed in removal proceedings” and “released while she waits for her hearing.” McLaughlin disputed allegations that agents had posed as New York City police officers but did not address claims about them pretending to search for a missing child.
Unlike many Columbia students facing immigration scrutiny, Aghayeva has not been publicly connected to the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have roiled the campus in recent months. She has built a substantial social media following by sharing content about college life as an immigrant.
The use of disguises by immigration authorities has drawn increasing scrutiny nationwide. In recent months, federal agents have been observed posing as utility workers and other service employees during enforcement operations in Minneapolis and other cities. While generally legal, immigration attorneys report such tactics are becoming more common under the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement.
“It’s a horrifying sign that the roving eye of the administration is turning back to Columbia,” said Michael Thaddeus, a mathematics professor at Columbia and vice president of the university’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors, which has sued Trump. “The idea that secret police would abduct and imprison students in our midst is something we’d expect from an authoritarian regime.”
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between the Trump administration and several major universities. In recent weeks, Trump has intensified criticisms of institutions including Harvard and UCLA. This enforcement action marks the first at Columbia since the university agreed to pay more than $220 million to the administration over the summer.
Faculty and students have called for increased protections for international students following the arrest last March of Mahmoud Khalil, a former graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist whose deportation case remains ongoing.
In response to Thursday’s events, Acting President Shipman sent an email to the Columbia community emphasizing that residential staff had been reminded not to allow federal law enforcement into university buildings without proper documentation.
“If you encounter or observe DHS/ICE agents conducting enforcement activities on or near campus, immediately contact Public Safety,” Shipman wrote. “Do not allow them to enter non-public areas or accept service of a warrant or subpoena.”
The incident has intensified concerns about immigration enforcement tactics on university campuses and raised questions about the potential targeting of international students at institutions already under federal scrutiny.
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11 Comments
It’s good to see that the student was released relatively quickly after the mayor’s intervention. However, the reported tactics used by the immigration agents are very concerning. Transparency and accountability are crucial when it comes to immigration enforcement actions.
Wow, it’s alarming to hear about this student being detained in such an abrupt manner by ICE. I’m glad the mayor was able to intervene and get her released the same day. This highlights the need for more oversight and accountability around immigration enforcement actions.
Agreed, the alleged tactics used by the agents are very troubling. Hopefully this leads to a thorough review of the incident and any necessary reforms to immigration enforcement procedures.
This is a troubling incident that deserves close scrutiny. The alleged deceptive tactics used by the immigration agents to detain the student are extremely worrying. I’m glad the mayor’s intervention led to her release, but this case highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in immigration enforcement.
Absolutely. Protecting civil liberties and due process should be paramount, even as immigration remains a complex and contentious policy issue. Robust oversight mechanisms are clearly needed.
This is a complex issue, but the alleged deception used by the immigration agents to gain entry is extremely troubling. I’m glad the student was released, but this case highlights the need for stronger safeguards and oversight to protect civil liberties.
Agreed, the reported tactics raise serious questions. Transparent and fair immigration enforcement practices are essential, even as the broader policy challenges remain difficult.
This seems like a troubling case of immigration enforcement overreach. I hope the authorities fully investigate the alleged deceptive tactics used to gain entry and detain this student. It’s good to see the intervention from the mayor and president led to her swift release.
Yes, the use of claimed missing child as a pretense for entry is very concerning. Glad the student is safe now, but the incident raises questions about due process and civil liberties.
While immigration enforcement is a sensitive and challenging issue, the reported actions of the agents in this case seem highly problematic. The use of claimed missing child as a pretext for entry is very concerning. I hope this leads to a thorough investigation and necessary reforms.
This is a frustrating situation. While immigration enforcement is important, the reported use of deception to gain entry raises serious civil liberties concerns. I’m glad the student was ultimately released, but the whole incident warrants close scrutiny.