Trump, Mamdani step in to block Azerbaijani student’s US deportation

Federal agents detained Elmina “Ellie” Aghayeva, a School of General Studies student at Columbia University originally from Azerbaijan, early Thursday (February 26) morning after allegedly impersonating New York Police Department officers to enter a University-owned residence, according to sources familiar with the situation.

The arrest came after Aghayeva posted on the morning of February 26 Instagram story, “Dhs illegally arrested me. Please help,” Columbia Spectator writes. 

She later confirmed in another story that she had “got out a little while ago” and was “otw back home,” adding that she was “safe and okay” and thanking those who expressed concern.

Acting University President Claire Shipman, CC ’86, SIPA ’94, announced that agents had misrepresented themselves to gain entry. In a University-wide email, Shipman wrote, “Our understanding at this time is that the federal agents made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a ‘missing person.’”

School of General Studies Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch, GS/JTS ’90, described the detainment as “upsetting and unsettling for our community” and confirmed that the University is providing legal support to Aghayeva and her family.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted on X that he had spoken with President Donald Trump and that Aghayeva would be “imminently” released. New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the actions, stating in a post that ICE agents did not have the “proper warrant” and that she had proposed legislation to “ban ICE from entering sensitive locations like schools and dorms.”

The Department of Homeland Security, in a statement to Spectator, said Aghayeva’s student visa had been terminated in 2016 for “failing to attend classes” under the Obama administration, when Jeh Johnson, Law ’82, served as Secretary of Homeland Security.

This incident is the fourth known detainment of a Columbia affiliate amid the federal government’s immigration crackdown targeting international students. It follows the 2025 arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, SIPA ’24, who was held in ICE custody for 104 days.

In response to the arrest, the University announced that it would deploy additional Public Safety officers to residential buildings and clarified that law enforcement may not enter University housing without Public Safety present or guidance from the Office of the General Counsel.

Shipman emphasized that administrative warrants are insufficient, and individuals should ask agents to wait until the University can coordinate a response.

Robert Mulvey, GS ’26, a University Senate representative, said, “Protecting the rights and safety of our students is a necessary condition for the legitimate operation of this institution. Without ensuring their protection, the University cannot uphold its mission, sustain its academic community, or claim fidelity to the values upon which it depends.”

Columbia’s General Studies Student Council and other student groups have mobilized to provide legal and mental health support, while activists continue to call for the University to strengthen protections for international students.

By Aghakazim Guliyev