A Columbia University undergraduate student, Elmina Aghayeva, was detained early Thursday morning by ICE agents at her off-campus residence in New York City. The agents reportedly gained entry to the building by falsely claiming to be police officers searching for a missing child, according to Columbia University President Claire Shipman.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did ICE agents enter the Columbia University residential building?
ICE agents entered the building by stating they were police searching for a missing child, according to Columbia University President Claire Shipman.
Who requested the release of Elmina Aghayeva?
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani requested the release of Elmina Aghayeva during a meeting with President Trump and Trump informed Mamdani she would be released.
Are there other cases Mayor Mamdani requested be dropped?
Yes, Mayor Mamdani also requested that the cases of Mahmoud Khalil, Yunseo Chung, Mohsen Mahdawi, and Leqaa Kordia be dropped during his meeting with President Trump.
Aghayeva posted on Instagram stating that the Department of Homeland Security “illegally arrested” her. She was released hours later. During the same meeting, Mayor Mamdani requested that four other cases be dropped: those of Mahmoud Khalil, Yunseo Chung, Mohsen Mahdawi, and Leqaa Kordia. Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia graduate student, noted a disparity in the university’s response to Aghayeva’s detention compared to his own and that of other students involved in pro-Palestinian protests.
According to Prem Thakker, a political correspondent, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially denied impersonating NYPD officers, despite Columbia President Shipman’s assertion—based on security camera footage—that they did. Leqaa Kordia remains in ICE detention almost a year after participating in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia.
Do these events raise questions about the balance between national security concerns and the rights of students and protestors on university campuses?
