A Columbia College scholar who was detained by Division of Homeland Safety brokers Thursday morning after the varsity claimed brokers allegedly made “misrepresentations” to enter a dorm will probably be launched, in line with the mayor.
New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani introduced Thursday afternoon that President Donald Trump knowledgeable him that the coed, Elaina Aghayev, can be “launched instantly” after the mayor spoke with the president.
Claire Shipman, the varsity’s performing president, despatched a letter to the varsity group informing them that the DHS brokers entered an unspecified dorm on the campus round 6:30 a.m. and detained the coed.
Protestors collect at Columbia College after a scholar was detained, Feb. 26, 2026 in New York Metropolis
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“Our understanding right now is that the federal brokers made misrepresentations to realize entry to the constructing to seek for a ‘lacking particular person.’ We’re working to collect extra particulars,” she mentioned.
A press release from a DHS official recognized Aghayeva as an Azerbajani native, and alleged her “scholar visa was terminated in 2016 beneath the Obama administration for failing to attend courses.”
“The constructing supervisor and her roommate let officers into the condominium. She has no pending appeals or functions with DHS,” the assertion additional mentioned.
The assertion didn’t deal with the allegations that DHS brokers made misrepresentations to realize entry to the constructing.
Mamdani, who met with Trump on the White Home Thursday, posted an announcement on social media within the afternoon the place he mentioned he spoke with the president in regards to the incident.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks throughout a information convention in Morningside Heights, Feb. 25, 2026, in New York.
Yuki Iwamura/AP
“In our assembly earlier, I shared my issues about Columbia scholar Elaina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning. He has simply knowledgeable me that she will probably be launched imminently,” he mentioned.
Protests happened on the varsity’s campus on Thursday following the information of the coed’s detention however there have been no reported incidents or arrests.
The college was “working to succeed in the household, and offering authorized assist,” the Columbia letter additional mentioned.
“You will need to reiterate that every one legislation enforcement brokers should have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena to entry personal areas of the College, together with housing, school rooms, and areas requiring CUID swipe entry,” the letter mentioned.
Claire Shipman, Board of Trustees Co-Chair, Columbia College testifies earlier than a Home Committee on Schooling and the Workforce listening to on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 17, 2024.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
“If legislation enforcement brokers search entry to personal areas of the College, ask the brokers to attend to enter any personal areas till contacting Public Security,” Shipman wrote. “Public Security will contact the Workplace of the Normal Counsel to coordinate the College’s response. Don’t permit them to enter or settle for service of a warrant or subpoena.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul launched a assertion condemning the federal brokers’ alleged actions.
“Let’s be clear about what occurred: ICE brokers did not have the correct warrant, so that they lied to realize entry to a scholar’s non-public residence,” she mentioned.
Columbia College campus in New York Metropolis.
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U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler echoed the governor’s assertion.
“Regulation enforcement brokers shouldn’t, beneath no circumstance, misrepresent their identification to realize entrance right into a residence. These actions don’t maintain us secure, they solely sow mistrust and concern into our group. ICE is terrorizing our neighbors and ripping college students from their houses,” Nadler mentioned in a assertion, partly. “We’re doing every thing in our energy to assist convey the coed residence.”
Thursday’s incident will not be the primary encounter between the Trump administration and Columbia.
Final 12 months, pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia scholar Mahmoud Khalil was arrested and held for 104 days on immigration fees.
Individuals take part in a protest organized by Columbia College college students and professors in opposition to U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s immigration insurance policies in New York Metropolis, February 5, 2026.
Amr Alfiky/Reuters
U.S. District Decide Michael Farbiarz issued an order on June 20 granting Khalil’s launch on bail after figuring out that he introduced neither a hazard nor a flight threat and that extraordinary circumstances justified his non permanent launch whereas his habeas case proceeded.
The federal authorities has been interesting its case in opposition to Kahlil, a inexperienced card holder.
Columbia additionally reached a $200 million settlement with the Trump administration final July, after it threatened to take away federal funding over what it referred to as Columbia’s “continued inaction within the face of persistent harassment of Jewish college students.”
