Overview
- Acting President Claire Shipman said DHS agents entered a Columbia-managed residence around 6:30 a.m. by claiming to search for a missing person and did not produce a judicial warrant when asked.
- ICE confirmed it arrested Elmina “Ellie” Aghayeva and said her student visa was terminated in 2016, adding that a building manager and her roommate allowed officers into the apartment.
- Aghayeva filed an emergency habeas petition and later posted she was “safe and okay” following her release, which New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said President Trump told him would be imminent.
- Hundreds rallied outside campus as officials including Governor Kathy Hochul and City Council leaders condemned the operation and pushed for investigations and potential legislation limiting ICE access to schools and dorms.
- Columbia said it is providing legal support and revising procedures so law enforcement seeking entry to non-public areas must wait for Public Safety and legal review to verify a judicial warrant.