Columbia University Student Released After Controversial Detention by Immigration Authorities

Elmina Aghayeva, a Columbia University student, was detained by US immigration authorities but has since been released. Her arrest, which involved federal agents allegedly misrepresenting themselves, has led to widespread protests and criticism from local officials. The incident raises concerns about transparency and the treatment of students under immigration laws, especially in light of ongoing scrutiny of the university by the Trump administration. Aghayeva's case has sparked discussions about the need for independent investigations into such detentions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 27, 2026, 20:16 IST

Student's Release Following Detention

A student from Columbia University, Elmina Aghayeva, who was apprehended by US immigration officials on Thursday, has announced her release via social media shortly after her arrest. In her post, she reassured her followers, stating, 'I am safe and okay,' while mentioning she was on her way home. Her release followed a statement from Zohran Mamdani, who indicated that Donald Trump had suggested she would be freed soon after Mamdani raised the issue during a meeting at the White House and later spoke with Trump directly.

Earlier that day, agents from the Department of Homeland Security entered a residential building managed by the university, detaining Aghayeva. Claire Shipman, the acting president of the university, reported that the federal agents gained entry by allegedly misrepresenting their identity.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency confirmed that Aghayeva, an Azerbaijani national, had her student visa revoked years ago due to non-attendance. According to sources familiar with the situation, agents arrived at approximately 6:30 a.m. at the residential facility located on West 121st Street in Manhattan's Morningside Heights. They reportedly claimed to be New York police officers searching for a missing person, which facilitated their entry. After a brief conversation with Aghayeva's roommate, they took her into custody.

Shipman emphasized that law enforcement must present a judicial warrant or subpoena to access restricted areas of the university, including student housing. The university has since filed a legal petition for her release, while local officials and advocates have condemned the circumstances surrounding her arrest. Kathy Hochul criticized the lack of transparency, asserting that no student should be detained under false pretenses and called for an independent investigation.

The incident has also led to protests near Columbia's Upper Manhattan campus, where demonstrators displayed anti-ICE signs and voiced their opposition to federal immigration enforcement actions in the city. This event occurs amid ongoing scrutiny of Columbia by the Trump administration following campus protests related to the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Previously, the federal government had suspended research funding over allegations that the university did not adequately address complaints of antisemitism, although a settlement was reached last year that restored funding in exchange for a $221 million payment.