In a dramatic turn of events that has sparked outrage and confusion on the Columbia University campus, international student Ellie Aghayeva was detained by U.S. federal immigration agents early Thursday morning only to be released hours later following what officials described as direct intervention from President Donald Trump.
The incident unfolded at 6 a.m. when five federal agents entered Aghayeva's university-owned apartment in New York City, reportedly by claiming they were police officers searching for a missing child. Aghayeva, a senior from Azerbaijan majoring in neuroscience and politics, quickly alerted her more than 100,000 Instagram followers with a post stating, “DHS illegally arrested me. Please help.” The accompanying photo showed what appeared to be her legs in the back seat of a vehicle.
According to a petition filed by her lawyers and a statement from Columbia's acting president, Claire Shipman, the agents gained entry through this ruse. Shipman addressed the community in a video released Thursday night, saying, “The agents gained entry by stating they were police searching for a missing child.” She added that security cameras captured the agents in a hallway showing pictures of the alleged missing child.
Aghayeva's release came swiftly after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani raised concerns during an unrelated meeting with Trump. In a social media post Thursday afternoon, Mamdani revealed that while discussing a massive housing project, he also urged the president to drop deportation cases against several Columbia students involved in pro-Palestinian protests. Trump reportedly agreed to release Aghayeva immediately. Minutes later, Aghayeva posted on Instagram: “I am safe and okay,” adding that she was in “complete shock” from the experience.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Aghayeva's detention but provided a different account of the entry. Spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that Aghayeva had been placed in removal proceedings due to her student visa being terminated in 2016 for failing to attend classes. McLaughlin said Aghayeva was “released while she waits for her hearing” and disputed allegations that agents posed as New York City police officers, though she did not address the claim about searching for a missing child.
Aghayeva's attorneys, in their petition, noted that she entered the U.S. on a visa around 2016 but declined further comment on her immigration status. Inquiries to Columbia University about her enrollment duration and visa details went unanswered. Notably, Aghayeva, a self-described content creator, has not been publicly linked to the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that disrupted campus life earlier this year. Her social media presence focuses on day-in-the-life videos and tips for immigrant college students.
This episode highlights a growing tension between the Trump administration and higher education institutions, particularly amid intensified immigration enforcement. In recent weeks, Trump has ramped up criticism of universities like Harvard and UCLA. Columbia itself settled with the administration over the summer, agreeing to pay more than $220 million in what was described as a resolution to federal probes into campus activities.
The arrest marks the first known federal enforcement action at Columbia since that settlement. Michael Thaddeus, a mathematics professor at the university and vice president of its American Association of University Professors chapter—which has sued the Trump administration—called it “a horrifying sign that the roving eye of the administration is turning back to Columbia.” He added, “The idea that secret police would abduct and imprison students in our midst is something we’d expect from an authoritarian regime.”
Protests erupted on campus Thursday following news of the detention, echoing earlier unrest tied to the Israel-related demonstrations. Many students and faculty have demanded stronger protections for international enrollees, especially after the March arrest of former graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist whose deportation case is still pending.
Immigration attorneys have noted an uptick in such enforcement tactics under the current administration. The use of disguises or misrepresentations by federal agents is legal in most cases, but it has drawn scrutiny. Recent examples include agents posing as utility workers in Minneapolis and other cities to conduct arrests. “Such ruses are becoming increasingly common,” one attorney told reporters, contributing to concerns over the reshaping of immigration enforcement nationwide.
Mamdani's involvement underscores the unlikely alliance between the democratic socialist mayor and the Republican president. Trump once threatened to deport Mamdani himself, yet their interaction Thursday extended beyond Aghayeva's case. Mamdani pressed for leniency toward other students facing deportation for protest participation, though it's unclear if Trump agreed to those requests.
In response to the incident, Shipman emailed the Columbia community Thursday, reminding residential staff not to allow federal law enforcement into university buildings without a subpoena or warrant. “If you encounter or observe DHS/ICE agents conducting enforcement activities on or near campus, immediately contact Public Safety,” she wrote. “Do not allow them to enter non-public areas or accept service of a warrant or subpoena.”
The rapid reversal in Aghayeva's case has left many questions unanswered. While DHS maintains the arrest was routine based on visa violations, critics argue it exemplifies overreach, particularly the method of entry. As removal proceedings continue, Aghayeva's future at Columbia remains uncertain, pending her hearing.
Beyond the immediate fallout, the event has reignited debates over the balance between national security and academic freedom. Universities across the country are reviewing protocols for international students, with some calling for legislative changes to curb what they see as aggressive federal tactics. For now, Columbia's campus remains on edge, bracing for potential further actions amid the administration's broader immigration push.
As the story develops, advocates on both sides watch closely. Supporters of stricter enforcement praise the administration's vigilance on visa compliance, while opponents decry the human cost to students like Aghayeva. The intersection of politics, education, and immigration shows no signs of abating, with Thursday's events serving as a stark reminder of the stakes involved.