Overview
- Acting president Claire Shipman said agents entered a Columbia-managed building around 6:30 a.m. after claiming to search for a missing person and without showing a judicial warrant.
- ICE identified the student as Elmina (Ellie) Aghayeva from Azerbaijan and said her student visa was terminated in 2016 for failing to attend classes, adding that a building manager and roommate let officers in.
- Aghayeva filed a habeas corpus petition, was released later the same day, and posted on Instagram that she was safe and okay after New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said President Trump indicated release was imminent.
- Columbia said security footage showed agents displaying photos of a supposed missing child and that a public safety officer’s repeated requests for a warrant were denied.
- Elected officials condemned the operation, protests formed near campus, and Governor Kathy Hochul urged legislation to bar ICE from sensitive locations such as schools and dorms.