Columbia Student Ellie Aghayeva Arrested by ICE
Analysis based on 28 articles · First reported Feb 26, 2026 · Last updated Feb 27, 2026
The event highlights increased scrutiny on immigration enforcement tactics, potentially leading to legislative changes in United States===New York (state) that could affect how federal agencies operate within educational institutions. This could influence public perception and policy regarding the balance between national security and civil liberties, with potential implications for educational institutions' autonomy and student welfare.
Ellie Aghayeva, a Columbia University senior from Azerbaijan, was arrested by United States===United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who gained entry to her university housing by misrepresenting themselves as searching for a 'missing person' or posing as United States===New York City Police Department officers. Her student visa was terminated in 2016 for failing to attend classes. The incident drew strong condemnation from Columbia University's acting president, Claire Shipman, who stated that federal agents require judicial warrants for access to non-public university areas. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City officials, including Zohran Mamdani, Julie Menin, and Brad Hoylman-Sigal, also criticized the tactics. Zohran Mamdani's discussion with Donald Trump led to Ellie Aghayeva's swift release. This event echoes a similar detention of Mahmoud Khalil last year and has prompted calls for increased protection for students from immigration enforcement.
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