Columbia student detained by DHS agents who made "misrepresentations" to enter building, university president says
A Columbia University student was detained by federal agents Thursday morning at one of its residential buildings, the university's acting president said.
"Our understanding at this time is that the federal agents made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a 'missing person,'" Claire Shipman wrote in an email to the Columbia community.
She wrote that the incident took place at 6:30 a.m.
The incident prompted protests at the school Thursday afternoon.
Detained Columbia student identified as Elmina Aghayeva
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal claimed in a social media post that the agents "impersonated NYPD with fake badges and a phony missing persons bulletin for a 5 year old girl."
"The level of civil rights violations that took place is staggering," he wrote.
The Department of Homeland Security told CBS News ICE agents arrested Elmina Aghayeva, an immigrant from Azerbaijan. DHS said her student visa was revoked in 2016 "for failing to attend classes."
"The building manager and her roommate let officers into the apartment," DHS said in a statement, which made no mention of the "misrepresentations" claim Shipman made, or Hoylman-Sigal's claim that those agents allegedly impersonated NYPD officers.
"I want to know if they had a warrant"
Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed concern about the detention.
"I want to know if they had a warrant. What the conditions of that arrest were. And we're still looking for more information, but, to misrepresent who they are, I've said they're out of control," Hochul said. "And if that is the case, and still, I have to get all the details, because this is newly unfolding."
Shipman said law enforcement agents are required to have a warrant or subpoena to enter the university's private property, including housing areas.
"An administrative warrant is not sufficient," she wrote.
"Let's be clear about what happened: ICE agents didn't have the proper warrant, so they lied to gain access to a student's private residence," Hochul posted on social media. "I've proposed a bill that would ban ICE from entering sensitive locations like schools and dorms. Let's get it passed now."
City Council Speaker Julie Menin and majority leader Shaun Abreu, both Columbia alumni, said they'd been briefed and had offered the university their assistance, adding "ICE has no place in our schools and universities."
"Despicable and lawless"
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said that misrepresenting their identity and purpose to gain entry to the building would be a "despicable and lawless act."
"This rogue agency has no regards for our policies, our laws, or our rights," Williams said.
"This exhibit of the Trump Administration's lawless actions — which are rarely supported by legitimate warrants or subpoenas — is yet another reminder that Columbia University and other institutions must enhance the protections and policies they utilize to create a safe environment for those they serve and employ," Rep. Adriano Espaillat said.
"We are disgusted and outraged that ICE agents entered a Columbia University residential building under false pretenses and without a judicial warrant to detain a student," Rep. Jerry Nadler and Assemblymember Micah Lasher said in a joint statement. "ICE has no place in our City, schools, and homes. Law enforcement agents should not, under no circumstance, misrepresent their identity to gain entrance into a residence. These actions do not keep us safe, they only sow distrust and fear into our community. ICE is terrorizing our neighbors and ripping students from their homes."
Read the full email to students
Here's Shipman's full email to the students:
Dear members of the Columbia community:
This morning at approximately 6:30 a.m., federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security entered a Columbia Residential building and detained a student. We are working to gather more information, working to reach the family, and providing legal support.
Our understanding at this time is that the federal agents made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a "missing person." We are working to gather more details.
It is important to reiterate that all law enforcement agents must have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena to access non-public areas of the University, including housing, classrooms, and areas requiring CUID swipe access. An administrative warrant is not sufficient.
If law enforcement agents seek entry to non-public areas of the University, ask the agents to wait to enter any non-public areas until contacting Public Safety. Public Safety will contact the Office of the General Counsel to coordinate the University's response. Do not allow them to enter or accept service of a warrant or subpoena.
We will update our community as additional information becomes available.
Columbia University has been a flashpoint
Columbia University has been a flashpoint since campus protests broke out after Hamas attacked Israel, killing civilians and taking hostages on Oct. 7, 2023.
Israel's retaliation and subsequent war against Hamas in Gaza drew widespread criticism and prompted protests on Columbia's campus. Those protests spread nationwide.
In March 2025, Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and graduate student involved in the protests at Columbia, was picked up by federal agents at his Manhattan apartment, setting off a lengthy legal battle as the Trump administration tried to deport him.
Check back soon for more on this developing story.
