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President Trump to release female student detained by ICE after meeting with Zohran Mamdani
A Columbia University senior who was taken into custody by ICE agents inside her campus housing is now free after a dramatic day that stretched from Morningside Heights to the Oval Office.
Elaina Aghayeva, a member of Columbia’s class of 2026, was detained early Thursday morning in what school officials described as a fast-moving and deeply troubling situation. By late afternoon, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he had secured assurances directly from President Trump that she would be released.
“Just got off the phone with President Trump. 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 on X late Thursday afternoon.
ICE raid sparks outrage on campus
According to Columbia’s acting president Claire Shipman, the operation began shortly after 6AM at the university’s Morningside Heights campus. Agents allegedly entered the off-campus residential building after telling security they were searching for a missing child.
Shipman said five agents entered “without any kind of warrant” and gained access by stating they were police investigating the disappearance of a child. Once inside the building, they made their way to Aghayeva’s apartment using what Shipman described as the same explanation.
“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,” Shipman said.
In a separate statement to The New York Post, the Department of Homeland Security said the building manager and Aghayeva’s roommate allowed officers into the apartment and that agents were wearing badges and identified themselves.
DHS also stated that Aghayeva is an illegal immigrant from Azerbaijan whose student visa was terminated by the Obama administration in 2016 for failing to attend classes.
Student’s plea spreads online
Shortly after her arrest, Aghayeva posted a message to Instagram that quickly circulated online.
“Dhs illegally arrested me. Please help” she wrote, captioning what appeared to be a photo taken from the back of a car.
Columbia later confirmed her release in a statement posted to social media.
“The university is relieved and thrilled that our student, Ellie, has been released from detainment. We will share additional details this evening,” the university wrote.
Shipman described the episode as alarming for the campus community.
“This was a frightening and fast-moving situation and utterly unacceptable for our students and staff,” she said, adding that the university immediately began working to secure Aghayeva’s release.
She also stressed that law enforcement agencies are required to follow legal standards when entering university housing.
“All law enforcement agencies must have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena to gain access to a Columbia residential building,” she said.
Political backlash intensifies
The arrest triggered swift criticism from Democratic officials across New York.
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal claimed on X that agents “purposefully deceived campus housing/security to gain entry to the student’s apartment.”
“The level of civil rights violations that took place is staggering,” he fumed.
Council Speaker Julie Menin, a Columbia alumna, also condemned the operation.
“ICE has no place in our schools and universities. These activities do not make our city or country safer, but rather drive mistrust and danger. As Columbia College alumni, our hearts are with the community there, and we have been in contact with the University to offer our assistance,” Menin wrote.
Gov. Kathy Hochul called the arrest “unacceptable” and said she is proposing legislation to block ICE from entering sensitive locations such as schools and dormitories.
“Let’s get it passed now,” she wrote on X.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also demanded immediate answers regarding Aghayeva’s whereabouts and said his office was working closely with Columbia and the relevant authorities.
By Thursday evening, the student at the center of the controversy was no longer in federal custody, closing out a day that drew national attention and reignited debate over immigration enforcement on college campuses.