A Columbia University student was detained by federal agents Thursday morning at one of its residential buildings.
The student, identified as Elmina “Ellie” Aghayeva, was released later Thursday afternoon, and posted on social media that she was “safe and okay” but “in complete shock.”
The detention set off a wave of condemnation from politicians in and around New York, and prompted a peaceful protest at Columbia University that afternoon.
Allegations of misrepresentation
“Our understanding at this time is that the federal agents made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a ‘missing person,'” Columbia University acting president Claire Shipman wrote in an email statement, saying the incident took place at 6:30 a.m.
DHS confirmed the arrest, and said its agents identified themselves.
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal claimed in a social media post that the agents “impersonated NYPD with fake badges and a phony missing persons bulletin for a 5 year old girl.”
“The level of civil rights violations that took place is staggering,” he wrote.
Immigration status of Elmina “Ellie” Aghayeva
The Department of Homeland Security told CBS News that ICE agents arrested Elmina “Ellie” Aghayeva, who is from Azerbaijan. DHS said her student visa was revoked in 2016 “for failing to attend classes.”
“The building manager and her roommate let officers into the apartment,” DHS said in a statement. “The Homeland Security Investigators verbally identified themselves and visibly wore badges around their necks. They did NOT and would not identify themselves as NYPD.”
The NYPD said it had “no coordination in civil immigration enforcement, no involvement whatsoever” in Thursday’s incident.
“I am safe and okay”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was in Washington, D.C. for a meeting with President Trump, said Thursday afternoon he spoke with the president about the incident, and that Mr. Trump told him the student would be “released imminently.”
A short time later, Aghayeva posted on social media that she had been released.
“I just got out a little while ago I am safe and okay,” she posted on her social media account. “I am so sorry but I am in complete shock over what happened … I need a little bit of time to process everything.”
“I want to know if they had a warrant”
Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed concern over the incident.
“I want to know if they had a warrant. What the conditions of that arrest were. And we’re still looking for more information, but, to misrepresent who they are, I’ve said they’re out of control,” Hochul said. “And if that is the case, and still, I have to get all the details, because this is newly unfolding.”
Shipman said law enforcement agents are required to have a warrant or subpoena to enter the university’s private property, including housing areas.
“An administrative warrant is not sufficient,” she wrote.
“Let’s be clear about what happened: ICE agents didn’t have the proper warrant, so they lied to gain access to a student’s private residence,” Hochul posted later on social media. “I’ve proposed a bill that would ban ICE from entering sensitive locations like schools and dorms. Let’s get it passed now.”
City Council Speaker Julie Menin and majority leader Shaun Abreu, both Columbia alumni, said they’d been briefed and had offered the university their assistance, adding “ICE has no place in our schools and universities.”
“Despicable and lawless”
“It is outrageous that ICE agents falsely represented themselves to arrest a Columbia graduate student by entering university-owned housing without a warrant. This is unacceptable. We need immediate answers from ICE on the student’s whereabouts,” Sen. Chuck Schumer posted on social media.
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said that misrepresenting their identity and purpose to gain entry to the building would be a “despicable and lawless act.”
“This rogue agency has no regards for our policies, our laws, or our rights,” Williams said.
“This exhibit of the Trump Administration’s lawless actions — which are rarely supported by legitimate warrants or subpoenas — is yet another reminder that Columbia University and other institutions must enhance the protections and policies they utilize to create a safe environment for those they serve and employ,” Rep. Adriano Espaillat said.
“We are disgusted and outraged that ICE agents entered a Columbia University residential building under false pretenses and without a judicial warrant to detain a student,” Rep. Jerry Nadler and Assemblymember Micah Lasher said in a joint statement. “ICE has no place in our City, schools, and homes. Law enforcement agents should not, under no circumstance, misrepresent their identity to gain entrance into a residence. These actions do not keep us safe, they only sow distrust and fear into our community. ICE is terrorizing our neighbors and ripping students from their homes.”
Delfina Roybal, a senior studying political science, is Aghayeva’s classmate. Aghayeva has an large following on social media.
“She is an incredible person and an incredible student,” Roybal told CBS News. “She had a really influential impact on a lot of students here … To not have her on campus feels like there’s a hole missing.”
Read the full email to Columbia students
Here’s Shipman’s full email to the students:
Dear members of the Columbia community:
This morning at approximately 6:30 a.m., federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security entered a Columbia Residential building and detained a student. We are working to gather more information, working to reach the family, and providing legal support.
Our understanding at this time is that the federal agents made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a “missing person.” We are working to gather more details.
It is important to reiterate that all law enforcement agents must have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena to access non-public areas of the University, including housing, classrooms, and areas requiring CUID swipe access. An administrative warrant is not sufficient.
If law enforcement agents seek entry to non-public areas of the University, ask the agents to wait to enter any non-public areas until contacting Public Safety. Public Safety will contact the Office of the General Counsel to coordinate the University’s response. Do not allow them to enter or accept service of a warrant or subpoena.
We will update our community as additional information becomes available.
Columbia University put out a follow-up statement Thursday afternoon, outlining actions it was taking in response. Those actions include adding more safety patrols to residential buildings, and setting up a webinar for students on immigration policy and the law Thursday and Friday at 3 p.m. Here’s the full list of their recommendations to students.
Columbia University has been a flashpoint
Columbia University has been a flashpoint since campus protests broke out after Hamas attacked Israel, killing civilians and taking hostages on Oct. 7, 2023.
Israel’s retaliation and subsequent war against Hamas in Gaza drew widespread criticism and prompted protests on Columbia’s campus. Those protests spread nationwide.
In March 2025, Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and graduate student involved in the protests at Columbia, was picked up by federal agents at his Manhattan apartment, setting off a lengthy legal battle as the Trump administration tried to deport him.
