A student at Columbia University who was taken into custody by federal agents Thursday morning has been released following intervention from President Trump, according to NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The student, Elaina (Ellie) Aghayeva, an Azerbaijani national studying neuroscience and political science, was detained inside her campus residence on West 121st Street. A Department of Homeland Security official identified Aghayeva as an Azerbaijani citizen and stated that her student visa had been terminated in 2016 during the Obama administration for failing to attend classes. However, a statement shared by her friends through the American Association of University Professors described her as a current international student in good standing.
Aghayeva’s attorney filed a habeas corpus petition in the Southern District of New York, asserting that she entered the U.S. around 2016 on a visa and had not been given a reason for her detention. The filing also noted that her building manager and roommate allowed officers into the apartment and that she had no pending immigration appeals or applications.
After meeting with Trump at the White House, Mamdani said he raised concerns about Aghayeva’s detention. Later, the Mayor announced on social media that the president had informed him she would be freed promptly. “In our meeting earlier, I shared my concerns about Columbia student Elaina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning. He has just informed me that she will be released imminently,” Mamdani wrote.
Aghayeva also confirmed her release shortly before 4 p.m., posting on Instagram that she was on her way back to campus. “I am so grateful for everyone of you. I just got out a little while ago. I am safe and ok,” she wrote, adding, “I am in complete shock over what happened…”
Columbia University also posted on social media: “The University is relieved and thrilled that our student, Ellie, has been released from detainment. We will share additional details this evening.”
As reported earlier in the day, Aghayeva was taken into custody by Department of Homeland Security agents Thursday morning, after officers entered a campus residence hall under disputed circumstances, according to university officials. In a message to the campus community, Acting President Claire Shipman said federal agents arrived at a university-owned dormitory around 6:30 a.m. and removed a student from the building. She wrote, “Our understanding at this time is that the federal agents made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a ‘missing person,’” adding that administrators are seeking additional details, contacting the student’s family, and arranging legal assistance.
Shipman used the incident to remind students and staff of campus protocols, emphasizing that law enforcement must present a judicial warrant or subpoena to enter nonpublic university spaces such as dormitories or classrooms. “An administrative warrant is not sufficient. Do not allow them to enter or accept service of a warrant or subpoena,” she added, noting that the university’s legal counsel would coordinate any response.
Columbia has repeatedly found itself at the center of political controversy, with federal agents active on campus before. Last year, Homeland Security executed search warrants at two university residences, though no arrests were made at the time. The searches occurred shortly after the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate student and Palestinian activist. Khalil spent three months in immigration detention before being released in June amid protests and a legal fight. His attorneys argued the detention was unconstitutional retaliation for his political views. However, an appeals court later ruled he must continue through immigration proceedings before challenging the legality of his detention.
Editorial credit: Tada Images / Shutterstock.com
