On Thursday, an "Internet celebrity" international student at Columbia University in New York City was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in his dormitory. The school said that ICE officers pretended to be New York Police Department (NYPD) officers and entered the school dormitory to make the arrest.
New York Mayor Mamdani held an emergency meeting with President Trump at the White House, and the detained student was later released. butDHSThe release stated that repatriation proceedings had been initiated.
Columbia’s “Internet celebrity” international student was trapped by ICE in the dormitory
On February 26, officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) arrested an international student from Columbia University, raising questions from the outside world. The school said,These federal law enforcement officers impersonated police officers—even wearing fake badges—to gain access to campus dormitories。
According to reports, the law enforcement operation took place at about 6:30 in the morning on Thursday (February 26).Unfolding in a dormitory on Columbia University's Morningside Heights campus。
The arrested student is Elmina Aghayeva,She was due to graduate this year。
Pictured is Columbia student Agaeva who was arrested by ICE. Source: Yahoonews.com
Agaeva, who has about 113,000 followers, posted a perspective photo taken from inside a car on Instagram and wrote, "DHS arrested me illegally, please help me.”
Source: Agaeva’s INS account
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a statement saying: "ICE arrested Elmina Agaeva, a national from Azerbaijan.Illegal immigration. Her student visa was terminated in 2016 during the Obama administration for not attending classes as required.”
The statement also said: "The building administrator and her roommate allowed law enforcement access to the apartment. She does not currently have any pending appeals or applications with DHS."
Information intercepted from Nypost.com
Claire Shipman, acting president of Columbia University, said in a letter to the school community,ICE officers entered school dormitories through 'misleading means'。
The Ivy League president further pointed out that all law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have the responsibility to strictly abide by relevant laws and ethical norms.
According to reports, a total of five ICE agents "did not have any search warrants" at the time.These ICE law enforcement officers "impersonated" New York Police Department (NYPD) officers and presented a fake notice about a missing 5-year-old girl., are allowed to enter campus dormitories.
Information intercepted from Nypost.com
Campus surveillance video also shows ICE agents holding photos of alleged missing children. A school public safety officer arrived at the scene and asked for a search warrant multiple times.But law enforcement officials failed to provide it and did not give public safety personnel time to contact superiors.。
The Department of Homeland Security responded in a subsequent statement that Homeland Security Investigators "Has identified himself verbally and wears law enforcement badge visibly around neck".
A DHS spokesperson emphasized: “They do not and do not identify themselves as members of the New York Police Department.”
The arrest quickly triggered an emergency rally outside Columbia's 116th Street campus. Many students and staff expressed strong dissatisfaction with the loopholes in school security and called for furtherStrengthen the relevant protection mechanisms of the Sanctuary Campus。
The picture shows the arrest incident that quickly triggered an emergency rally outside the 116th Street gate of Columbia University on February 26.
The school later reiterated that in accordance with school policy,To enter non-public areas such as dormitories, federal law enforcement officers must present a judicially issued search warrant.。
Currently, the school is investigating under what circumstances and how law enforcement officers obtained entry permission without complying with regulations.
The mayor of New York comes forward to seek help from Trump
After the Columbia student was arrested,New York City Mayor Mamdani met with President Trump at the White House and received assurances that the student was subsequently released。
It is reported that Mamdani was in Washington, D.C., and had an unannounced Oval Office meeting with Trump. This was his second separate meeting with Trump since he was elected mayor in November last year.
Source: Nypost.com
Mamdani posted on the X platform late Thursday afternoon: "Just got off the phone with President Trump. In our earlier meeting, I expressed concern about Colombian student Elmina Agaeva being detained by ICE. The President has just informed me that she will be released soon."
But according to information released by the Department of Homeland Security,Although the student has been released, deportation proceedings have been initiated。
Information intercepted from Reuters.com
Agaeva’s lawyers said in a petition filed in Manhattan federal court that she “Wrongly detained without just cause". The lawyer said that AgaevaEntered the United States with a visa in 2016 and is currently an undergraduate student at Columbia University。
U.S. District Judge Katherine Failla in Manhattan said,Agaeva should not be deported without a court order。
Democratic New York City officials were quick to criticize the Department of Homeland Security's arrests. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal angrily posted on the
Image source: Brad Heuylman-Siegel’s X social media account
City Council Speaker and Columbia University alumnus Julie Menin also called the incident “disturbing” and angrily criticized it on the X platform: “ICE should not be in our schools and universities. Rather than making our city or country safer, these actions exacerbate distrust and danger. As Columbia College alumni, our hearts go out to the community and have reached out to the school to offer assistance. "
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also criticized the arrests, saying已Introduce a bill to ban ICE from sensitive places like schools and dormitories: “Let’s pass this bill as quickly as possible.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the arrests "unacceptable," demanded immediate disclosure of the students' whereabouts, and said his office was working closely with Columbia University and relevant authorities.
It is understood thatAgaeva is not only an excellent student but also a content creator with over 100,000 followers on social media。
However, her lawyer and the school have not disclosed more official details about the specific reasons for her failure to maintain her student visa and her subsequent legal status.
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