Columbia University Condemns DHS Arrest After Agents Allegedly Misrepresent Themselves
Columbia University has publicly condemned the arrest of one of its students by federal immigration officers, alleging that agents misrepresented themselves to gain entry to a residential building on campus. The incident occurred early Thursday morning, sending shockwaves through the prestigious New York City institution and prompting immediate legal and community responses.
University Leadership Responds to Early Morning Incident
Acting university president Claire Shipman issued a statement to the Columbia community confirming that immigration enforcement agents from the Department of Homeland Security detained a student. Shipman emphasized that the university is actively gathering more information about the circumstances surrounding the arrest while providing legal support to the affected student and attempting to reach their family.
"Our understanding at this time is that the federal agents made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a 'missing person,'" Shipman stated in her communication. She did not identify the detained student or comment on their specific immigration status, maintaining the university's commitment to student privacy during the ongoing investigation.
Legal Requirements and Campus Security Protocols
The acting president underscored Columbia's strict policy regarding law enforcement access to non-public areas of the university. "It is important to reiterate that all law enforcement agents must have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena to access non-public areas of the University," Shipman emphasized. "An administrative warrant is not sufficient under our protocols."
This incident raises significant questions about proper procedure and the boundaries of immigration enforcement on educational campuses. The university maintains that any deviation from established legal requirements represents a serious breach of campus security and student rights.
Student Identification and Social Media Appeal
Although university officials have not formally identified the detained student, sources indicate the individual is Ellie Aghayeva, an undergraduate student at Columbia. Shortly after the incident, an Instagram story attributed to Aghayeva featured a photo showing what appeared to be her legs in a vehicle with the urgent message: "Dhs illegally arrested me. Please help."
The social media appeal quickly circulated among students and faculty, amplifying concerns about the circumstances of the detention and the methods employed by federal agents.
Historical Context and Previous Campus Incidents
This arrest occurs nearly one year after significant campus upheaval when immigration officials detained two Columbia students, Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi. Both Palestinian students maintained valid immigration status at the time of their detention during what was described as a crackdown on dissent against Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Those previous detentions, which occurred under the Trump administration, targeted foreign scholars who had been outspoken advocates for Palestinian rights. The government had argued their advocacy posed national security threats, though no criminal charges were filed against them.
Legal Precedent and Constitutional Concerns
In September, a Boston federal judge issued a blistering opinion declaring the previous detentions of Khalil and Mahdawi unconstitutional, finding they were designed specifically to chill protected speech. This legal precedent adds significant weight to current concerns about Thursday's incident and the potential constitutional implications of the latest student detention.
Campus Reaction and Political Response
The arrest prompted immediate outrage across Columbia's campus, with students and faculty organizing an emergency vigil scheduled for noon on Thursday. The incident has reignited debates about immigration enforcement on educational campuses and the protection of student rights.
New York City Council leadership quickly condemned the detention. In a joint statement, Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu declared: "ICE has no place in our schools and universities. These activities do not make our city or country safer, but rather drive mistrust and danger."
Ongoing Investigation and University Position
Columbia University continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest while maintaining its position that proper legal procedures must be followed for any law enforcement activity on campus. The Department of Homeland Security has not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the incident or the allegations of agent misrepresentation.
The university remains committed to supporting the detained student through legal channels while reviewing its security protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. This case highlights ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement priorities and the protective environment expected at institutions of higher education.
