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Officials at Columbia University have reported that federal immigration agents misled their way into a student dormitory early Thursday morning, resulting in the arrest of an undergraduate student. Acting President Claire Shipman issued a statement indicating that Department of Homeland Security personnel entered the residence on West 122nd Street around 6:30 a.m., falsely claiming they were searching for a 'missing person.' Shipman noted, “Our current understanding is that federal agents made false statements to gain entry to conduct a search for a ‘missing person.’ We are in the process of gathering more information.” The university is attempting to contact the student’s family and is offering legal assistance. Shipman emphasized that law enforcement must possess a judicial warrant or subpoena to access non-public areas such as dormitories, classrooms, or any location requiring a Columbia ID for entry. An administrative warrant from a federal agency is insufficient. “Do not permit them to enter or accept service of a warrant or subpoena,” she advised.

The student taken into custody is identified as Ellie Aghayeva, who is pursuing studies in neuroscience and political science at Columbia. According to reports, she immigrated to the United States from Azerbaijan on a visa in 2016. Early Thursday, Aghayeva shared on her Instagram story: “DHS illegally arrested me. Please help.” Later that day, she filed a habeas corpus petition in federal court, seeking a judge's order for her release. Her legal representatives have not yet made any public statements.

Aghayeva is not the first international student at Columbia to face immigration enforcement. Last March, Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student, was arrested in the lobby of a university-owned building and spent 104 days in detention before a judge ordered his release while his immigration case is ongoing. Khalil had been a prominent negotiator for student protesters during the 2024 Gaza-related demonstrations on campus.

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Councilman Shaun Abreu issued a joint statement condemning the actions of ICE, stating, “ICE has no place in our schools and universities. These actions do not enhance safety in our city or country; instead, they foster mistrust and danger. As alumni of Columbia College, we stand with the community and have reached out to the University to offer our support.”