Columbia University Student’s Arrest Sparks National Attention
An unexpected series of events unfolded at Columbia University on Thursday, as a student arrest by federal immigration authorities drew widespread attention and sparked campus protests. The incident, involving Ellie Aghayeva, a senior at the prestigious institution, highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement tactics.
Early Thursday morning, Aghayeva was taken into custody by federal agents, reportedly under false pretenses. However, just hours later, she was unexpectedly released, allegedly after intervention by President Donald Trump. This rapid sequence was confirmed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who mentioned discussing the student’s case with Trump during an unrelated meeting.
“I am safe and okay,” Aghayeva reassured her followers on Instagram shortly after her release. She expressed her shock over the ordeal, which she described as unbelievable.
This incident marks a rare collaboration between Mamdani and Trump, despite their previous political clashes. The president had once threatened to deport Mamdani and cut funding to New York City if Mamdani were elected mayor. The student’s arrest, however, brought the two together in a moment of unexpected diplomacy.
During discussions with Trump about a large-scale housing project, Mamdani also advocated for clemency for other students embroiled in deportation proceedings due to their involvement in protests against Israel. Aghayeva, a neuroscience and politics major from Azerbaijan, has not been linked to these demonstrations but is known for her large social media presence, where she shares insights into immigrant student life.
According to a statement from Columbia and a petition filed by Aghayeva’s legal team, federal agents allegedly gained entry to her residence by posing as officers searching for a missing person. Aghayeva quickly alerted her Instagram followers, sharing that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had arrested her unlawfully. An accompanying photo seemed to show her in a vehicle, reinforcing the urgency of her message.
A DHS spokesperson noted that Aghayeva’s student visa was canceled in 2016 due to non-attendance. Columbia University did not respond to inquiries regarding her visa status or enrollment history.
Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS representative, refuted claims that agents impersonated New York City police officers to access the student’s apartment. She abstained from commenting on whether they used the pretext of a search for a missing person.
The use of deceptive tactics by immigration officials has been under scrutiny recently, especially after agents were seen masquerading as utility workers in various cities. While legally permissible, these strategies have raised concerns amidst the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies.
President Trump has ramped up criticism of several universities, including Harvard and UCLA. The arrest signifies the first federal action against Columbia since it agreed to a substantial financial settlement with the administration earlier this year.
“It’s a horrifying sign that the roving eye of the administration is turning back to Columbia,” said Michael Thaddeus, a professor and vice president of Columbia’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors. “The idea that secret police would abduct and imprison students in our midst is something we’d expect from an authoritarian regime.”
Following the arrest, Columbia students and faculty have urged the university to bolster protections for international students. This comes in the wake of last March’s arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a former graduate student and activist, whose deportation proceedings continue.
In response, acting president Claire Shipman communicated to the Columbia community, reminding residential staff not to permit federal law enforcement inside university buildings without the necessary legal documents. “If you encounter or observe DHS/ICE agents conducting enforcement activities on or near campus, immediately contact Public Safety,” Shipman advised. “Do not allow them to enter non-public areas or accept service of a warrant or subpoena.”
