A Columbia University student was taken into custody by ICE officers early Thursday morning and later released the same day. The case quickly turned into a wider discussion about immigration enforcement, student visa status, and civil rights on college campuses.
The student, Elmina Ellie Aghayeva, 29, studies neuroscience at Columbia University. According to university officials, immigration officers entered her residential building around 6:30 am.
Initial coverage of the situation was reported by The Columbia Spectator, with additional reporting from The New York Times and The Daily Beast.
ICE Detention at Campus Housing
Columbia’s acting president said federal agents may have provided misleading information to gain access to the building. University officials described the arrest as upsetting for the campus community.
Aghayeva later posted on Instagram saying she was safe but in shock. She mentioned that reporters were contacting her and that she needed time to process everything.
The Department of Homeland Security denied claims that agents identified themselves as NYPD officers. A spokesperson said Homeland Security Investigations officers verbally identified themselves and wore visible badges. The New York Police Department confirmed it was not involved in the arrest.
General information about immigration enforcement authority and agency structure is available through the official Department of Homeland Security website.
Student Visa and Legal Status Questions
Homeland Security stated that Aghayeva’s student visa had been terminated in 2016 for failing to attend classes. However, early reports did not clearly explain her current legal status at the time of the arrest.
Friends at the university said she is in her final semester studying neuroscience and political science. They described her as active in academic life and focused on completing her degree.
For readers wanting to understand how judicial warrants and subpoenas work in federal cases, official explanations can be found through United States Courts.
Political and Civil Rights Response
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly urged President Donald Trump to release her during a visit to the White House. She was later released from federal custody the same day.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul criticized the arrest and raised concerns about whether a proper judicial warrant was presented. Several lawmakers also expressed concern about due process and student protections.
Students and faculty gathered outside Columbia University to protest and call for stronger safeguards for international students. Columbia has stated that law enforcement must present a valid judicial warrant or subpoena to access nonpublic campus areas such as dormitories and classrooms. Administrative warrants issued internally by agencies are not considered the same as judicial warrants.
From my perspective, situations like this show how complex immigration law can be, especially for international students. Many students may not fully understand how visa issues from years ago could still impact them. When something like this happens on campus, it naturally creates fear and confusion among other students.
The investigation and legal process are ongoing, and further updates are expected as officials review the circumstances of the arrest and release.
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