Columbia Student Ellie Aghayeva Claims 'Illegal Arrest' by DHS After ICE Detention

In a viral and contentious incident that has got a lot of heat across the United States and beyond, Columbia University student Elmina 'Ellie' Aghayeva has accused federal authorities of illegally arresting her inside her university-owned residence.

The detention, which took place in the early hours of Thursday morning, has caused protests on campus, heated political debate, and questions over immigration enforcement protocols on university grounds.

Aghayeva, a senior originally from Azerbaijan studying neuroscience and political science, posted on social media that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had 'illegally arrested' her as she was being taken into custody by immigration agents. Her claim centres on allegations that agents misrepresented their identity and entered the building under false pretences, leading to accusations by some that constitutional rights were violated. Hours after her arrest, and amid growing public backlash, she was released following reported intervention by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who raised the matter directly with President Donald Trump.

Who Is Ellie Aghayeva, and What Happened That Morning?

Elmina 'Ellie' Aghayeva is a senior at Columbia University in New York City. Born in Azerbaijan, she is studying neuroscience and political science and has gained a huge following online for sharing tidbits into student life and academic routines. Reports indicate she has more than 100,000 followers on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, where she posts about her experiences as an international student.

According to multiple accounts, federal immigration agents from the Department of Homeland Security entered Aghayeva's residential building at approximately 6.30 am. Reports indicate that the agents claimed they were searching for a 'missing person' in order to gain access to the premises. The acting university president, Claire Shipman, reportedly said that agents made 'misrepresentations' to campus security to enter the building.

DHS, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), disputed aspects of the university's account but acknowledged that its officers detained Aghayeva. The department stated that her student visa had been terminated in 2016 for failing to attend classes, arguing that this justified the arrest, although this is also being contested. DHS maintained that the building manager and Aghayeva's roommate gave consent for officers to enter the apartment.

In the immediate aftermath, Aghayeva posted to her Instagram story from the back of a vehicle, writing: 'DHS illegally arrested me. Please help.' This message rapidly got attention from students, activists, and the public. The incident has led to outrage among students and faculty at Columbia. Protesters rallied on campus on Thursday, chanting for greater protections for international students and decrying federal immigration enforcement actions they see as overreach. The episode has also renewed calls from some state officials for legislation to protect 'sensitive locations' like schools and universities from aggressive immigration tactic.

Political Fallout of The Arrest

As news of the arrest and Aghayeva's social media plea spread, political figures became involved. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he raised the matter during a previously scheduled meeting with President Donald Trump. He also urged publicly that Aghayeva be released. Following the discussion, Mamdani announced that the president agreed to her immediate release, and she was freed from custody just hours after being taken in. Aghayeva later confirmed on social media that she was 'safe and okay' and returning home.