Columbia University Student Detained by DHS in Dorm — Released After Trump Call

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents has detained a Columbia University student on the morning of Thursday, 26 February. University officials said the DHS agents 'misrepresented' themselves to access the student's dorm. The student was released later during the day following a call between New York City Mayor and President Donald Trump.​

According to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, he was told by President Trump that Elaina Aghayeva, the student, would be 'released imminently' after speaking with him. Columbia University's acting president, Claire Shipman, announced later that five DHS agents made their way into the off-campus dorm not long after 6 in the morning without a warrant, per ABC News.​

Shipman said in a video message, 'The agents gained entry by stating they were police searching for a missing child. They made their way to the apartment of the student they were targeting with the same story. Our security cameras captured the agents in the hallway showing pictures of the alleged missing child.'

She continued, 'Once inside the apartment, it became clear they had misrepresented themselves. A public safety officer arrived, asked multiple times for a warrant, which was not produced, and asked for time to call his boss, which was not given.'

According to Shipman, the incident was 'frightening and fast-moving.'​

'Let me be clear—misrepresenting identity and other facts to gain access to a residential building is a breach of protocol,' she added.

Conflicting Accounts on Entry; Legal Status

A DHS official issued a statement which alleges Aghayeva, who was identified as an Azerbaijani native, as holding a terminated student visa. The statement said her visa was revoked in 2016 for 'failing to attend classes. 'Homeland Security Investigators verbally identified themselves and visibly wore badges around their necks. The building manager and her roommate let officers into the apartment.'

The statement made no mention of the DHS agents misrepresenting themselves to gain access to the building. It also said, 'ICE placed her in removal proceedings and she's been released while she waits for her hearing.'

In the afternoon, Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted a statement on social media after meeting with the president at the White House. He said, 'Just got off the phone with President Trump. In our meeting earlier, I shared my concerns about Columbia student Elmina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning. He has just informed me that she will be released imminently.'

The student, Elmina Aghayeva, took to Instagram to thank the mayor. She said in her post, 'I just got out a little while ago. I am safe and okay. In an uber (on the way) back home. I am so sorry, but I am in complete shock over what happened.'

Unlawfully Held Without Justification

Aghayeva's legal counsel filed a petition in federal court Thursday seeking a judge's order for her release. Immigration lawyer Carl Hurvich argued in court documents that Aghayeva was being held unlawfully and 'without justification.'

A temporary restraining order was also requested in the event that the Trump administration tries to transfer the student outside New York. Court documents state that Aghayeva is an undergraduate student at Columbia's School of General Studies. She is studying neuroscience and political science and has been in the US since 2016.