In a recent development, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to Fox News Digital that a student from Columbia University was taken into custody by federal agents due to their illegal residency status. The student, identified as Elmina Aghayeva, originally from Azerbaijan, remained in the United States despite her student visa expiring in 2016.
An official from DHS stated, “ICE apprehended Elmina Aghayeva, who has been residing illegally since her student visa was annulled in 2016 because she ceased attending classes. The building manager, alongside her roommate, allowed officers entry into the apartment. She currently has no outstanding appeals or applications with the DHS.”
This incident has sparked a response from Columbia University, which reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers entered one of their residential buildings early Thursday morning, around 6:30 a.m. The university alleged that the agents misrepresented their intentions by claiming they were searching for a “missing person” to gain access to the premises.
Columbia University expressed concerns over the manner in which the entry was conducted, emphasizing the importance of following proper legal procedures. “Law enforcement agents must have a judicial warrant or subpoena to access non-public areas of the University, such as housing, classrooms, and spaces requiring CUID swipe access,” the university stated. They clarified that an administrative warrant alone does not suffice.
In light of these events, the university has reiterated its policy that any law enforcement personnel seeking entry with a judicial warrant or subpoena must first contact the public safety department. This department will then liaise with the Office of the General Counsel to ensure that the university’s response is appropriately coordinated, safeguarding the rights and privacy of its community members.
Following the incident, anti-ICE demonstrators gathered at Columbia University, voicing their disapproval of the actions taken by the federal agents. The situation continues to unfold as further details are sought by the university and interested parties.
Many Columbia University buildings do not require a Columbia University ID (CUID) to enter, but in order to access the interior of the buildings, one would need to swipe through turnstiles with an ID.
While Columbia spoke about rules on its campus, DHS said the incident did not take place on campus.
An anti-ICE agitator holds a sign during a demonstration at Columbia University. (WNYW)
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Majority Leader Shaun Abreu issued a joint statement condemning the incident. They said the agents’ actions have increased “mistrust and danger” in the city and the country.
“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. As Columbia College alumni, our hearts are with the community there, and we have been in contact with the University to offer our assistance,” the statement read.
Barricades are installed in front of Columbia University after federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security entered a university residential building and detained a student, early Thursday morning, on Feb. 26, 2026. (Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s illegal immigration crackdown, held back in her response to the incident when asked about it on Thursday. The governor told reporters that the details of the situation were still “unfolding” and that, if the agents “misrepresented” themselves, that it showed the “out of control” nature of the administration’s crackdown.
“I still have to get the details, this is newly unfolding. I don’t wanna speak outside of turn here, but if that’s the case that just goes to prove our point: this is an organization out of control. They need to be focused, reorganized, retrained. Start over, it’s not working,” she said.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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