A Columbia College pupil was detained by federal brokers Thursday morning at one in every of its residential buildings, the college’s appearing president mentioned.
“Our understanding right now is that the federal brokers made misrepresentations to realize entry to the constructing to seek for a ‘lacking particular person,'” Claire Shipman wrote in an electronic mail to the Columbia neighborhood.
She wrote that the incident happened at 6:30 a.m.
The incident prompted protests on the college Thursday afternoon. These protests disbanded peacefully at round 2 p.m.
DHS confirmed the arrest, and mentioned its brokers recognized themselves.
New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was in Washington, D.C. for a gathering with President Trump, mentioned he spoke with the president concerning the incident, and that Mr. Trump informed him the scholar could be “launched imminently.”
Detained Columbia pupil recognized as Elmina Aghayeva
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal claimed in a social media publish that the brokers “impersonated NYPD with pretend badges and a phony lacking individuals bulletin for a 5 12 months previous lady.”
“The extent of civil rights violations that happened is staggering,” he wrote.
The Division of Homeland Safety informed CBS Information ICE brokers arrested Elmina Aghayeva, an immigrant from Azerbaijan. DHS mentioned her pupil visa was revoked in 2016 “for failing to attend courses.”
“The constructing supervisor and her roommate let officers into the condo,” DHS mentioned in a press release. “The Homeland Safety Investigators verbally recognized themselves and visibly wore badges round their necks. They did NOT and wouldn’t establish themselves as NYPD.”
The NYPD mentioned it had “no coordination in civil immigration enforcement, no involvement by any means” in Thursday’s incident.
“I need to know if that they had a warrant”
Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed concern.
“I need to know if that they had a warrant. What the situations of that arrest had been. And we’re nonetheless in search of extra data, however, to misrepresent who they’re, I’ve mentioned they’re uncontrolled,” Hochul mentioned. “And if that’s the case, and nonetheless, I’ve to get all the main points, as a result of that is newly unfolding.”
Shipman mentioned legislation enforcement brokers are required to have a warrant or subpoena to enter the college’s personal property, together with housing areas.
“An administrative warrant is just not adequate,” she wrote.
“Let’s be clear about what occurred: ICE brokers did not have the right warrant, in order that they lied to realize entry to a pupil’s personal residence,” Hochul posted afterward social media. “I’ve proposed a invoice that might ban ICE from getting into delicate areas like colleges and dorms. Let’s get it handed now.”
Metropolis Council Speaker Julie Menin and majority chief Shaun Abreu, each Columbia alumni, mentioned they’d been briefed and had provided the college their help, including “ICE has no place in our colleges and universities.”
“Despicable and lawless”
“It’s outrageous that ICE brokers falsely represented themselves to arrest a Columbia graduate pupil by getting into university-owned housing with no warrant. That is unacceptable. We want instant solutions from ICE on the scholar’s whereabouts,” Sen. Chuck Schumer posted on social media.
New York Metropolis Public Advocate Jumaane Williams mentioned that misrepresenting their id and function to realize entry to the constructing could be a “despicable and lawless act.”
“This rogue company has no regards for our insurance policies, our legal guidelines, or our rights,” Williams mentioned.
“This exhibit of the Trump Administration’s lawless actions — that are not often supported by official warrants or subpoenas — is yet one more reminder that Columbia College and different establishments should improve the protections and insurance policies they make the most of to create a protected setting for these they serve and make use of,” Rep. Adriano Espaillat mentioned.
“We’re disgusted and outraged that ICE brokers entered a Columbia College residential constructing beneath false pretenses and with no judicial warrant to detain a pupil,” Rep. Jerry Nadler and Assemblymember Micah Lasher mentioned in a joint assertion. “ICE has no place in our Metropolis, colleges, and houses. Legislation enforcement brokers shouldn’t, beneath no circumstance, misrepresent their id to realize entrance right into a residence. These actions don’t preserve us protected, they solely sow mistrust and worry into our neighborhood. ICE is terrorizing our neighbors and ripping college students from their houses.”
Delfina Roybal, a senior learning political science, is Aghayeva’s classmate. Aghayeva has an giant following on social media.
“She is an unbelievable particular person and an unbelievable pupil,” Roybal informed CBS Information. “She had a extremely influential affect on quite a lot of college students right here … To not have her on campus looks like there is a gap lacking.”
Learn the total electronic mail to college students
This is Shipman’s full electronic mail to the scholars:
Expensive members of the Columbia neighborhood:
This morning at roughly 6:30 a.m., federal brokers from the Division of Homeland Safety entered a Columbia Residential constructing and detained a pupil. We’re working to collect extra data, working to succeed in the household, and offering authorized assist.
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.
You will need to reiterate that each one legislation enforcement brokers should have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena to entry personal areas of the College, together with housing, lecture rooms, and areas requiring CUID swipe entry. An administrative warrant is just not adequate.
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. Public Security will contact the Workplace of the Normal Counsel to coordinate the College’s response. Don’t enable them to enter or settle for service of a warrant or subpoena.
We’ll replace our neighborhood as further data turns into obtainable.
Columbia College put out a follow-up assertion Thursday afternoon, outlining actions it was taking in response. These actions embrace including extra security patrols to residential buildings, and organising a webinar for college students on immigration coverage and the legislation Thursday and Friday at 3 p.m. This is the total record of their suggestions to college students.
Columbia College has been a flashpoint
Columbia College 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 conflict in opposition to Hamas in Gaza drew widespread criticism and prompted protests on Columbia’s campus. These protests unfold nationwide.
In March 2025, Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and graduate pupil concerned within the protests at Columbia, was picked up by federal brokers at his Manhattan condo, setting off a prolonged authorized battle because the Trump administration tried to deport him.
Examine again quickly for extra on this creating story.
