Federal agents gained entry to a Columbia dormitory early Thursday morning by claiming they were searching for a missing person, university officials said — a move that sparked protests on campus and sharp criticism from elected leaders and academic groups.
What happened
Columbia’s administration says officers from the Department of Homeland Security entered a residence building at about 6:30 a.m. and detained a woman the agency identified as Elmina Aghayeva. The university called the officers’ account a misrepresentation and said it is reaching out to the student’s family and will provide legal support.
Under Columbia’s normal rules, officials stress, nonpublic areas such as residence halls require a judicial warrant before law enforcement can enter. The university says an administrative warrant does not meet that standard, and it will review whether proper procedures were followed and what remedies might be appropriate.
Immediate reactions
Acting President Claire Shipman told the campus community that federal agents, in the university’s view, “made misrepresentations to gain entry.” Within hours, students and faculty had organized a rally outside the gates. Residential staff were instructed to refuse nonemergency law-enforcement access until Public Safety and the Office of the General Counsel issue formal guidance.
City and state officials quickly weighed in. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani — who met with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. — said he raised concerns about the case and later posted that the president had indicated the student would be released “imminently.” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said officers lacked a proper warrant and accused them of misleading university personnel.
Federal officials confirmed the student’s identity to some news outlets and said her student visa had been terminated in 2016 for failing to attend classes. They also said a building manager and a roommate granted officers access to the apartment where the detention occurred — details that could matter in any legal review.
Campus fallout and policy changes
Campus leaders announced stepped-up patrols of residential buildings and plans for informational sessions on immigration law. In the short term, Columbia told residential staff to deny nonemergency entry to law enforcement and reiterated guidance that officers should wait while campus Public Safety verifies any warrant or subpoena.
Administrators face a delicate balancing act: protecting student privacy and campus autonomy while complying with federal legal obligations. The university said it will examine housing protocols, consult legal counsel, and update policies where necessary.
Political and institutional pushback
The incident quickly drew broader criticism. Representative Jerry Nadler called the arrest “disturbing” and said he would explore ways to help the student return home. The American Association of University Professors warned that the reported tactics — if true — threaten academic freedom and could deter international scholars.
Advocates and university leaders have also raised concerns about new internal guidance from immigration authorities that appears to broaden the use of administrative warrants, potentially expanding where officers can carry out arrests. That shift has prompted calls from state leaders for clearer restrictions on enforcement at “sensitive locations” such as schools and hospitals.
What happened
Columbia’s administration says officers from the Department of Homeland Security entered a residence building at about 6:30 a.m. and detained a woman the agency identified as Elmina Aghayeva. The university called the officers’ account a misrepresentation and said it is reaching out to the student’s family and will provide legal support.0
What happened
Columbia’s administration says officers from the Department of Homeland Security entered a residence building at about 6:30 a.m. and detained a woman the agency identified as Elmina Aghayeva. The university called the officers’ account a misrepresentation and said it is reaching out to the student’s family and will provide legal support.1
What happened
Columbia’s administration says officers from the Department of Homeland Security entered a residence building at about 6:30 a.m. and detained a woman the agency identified as Elmina Aghayeva. The university called the officers’ account a misrepresentation and said it is reaching out to the student’s family and will provide legal support.2
What happened
Columbia’s administration says officers from the Department of Homeland Security entered a residence building at about 6:30 a.m. and detained a woman the agency identified as Elmina Aghayeva. The university called the officers’ account a misrepresentation and said it is reaching out to the student’s family and will provide legal support.3