On Thursday, more than a dozen individuals protesting against immigration enforcement were arrested during a demonstration at Columbia University in New York City. These arrests occurred after the protesters reportedly ignored directives from the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
An NYPD representative confirmed to Fox News Digital that 13 protesters were detained and subsequently issued criminal court summonses.
At this time, it remains uncertain whether the arrested individuals were students or staff members associated with the university.
The arrests followed a call to the police regarding a protest near Columbia University, which began around 1:30 p.m. local time.
The demonstration involved Columbia students, faculty, and activists who gathered outside the campus to demand that the university declare itself a sanctuary campus. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
According to police reports, the protesters were obstructing the entrance to the university and refused to vacate the area.
Video showed the agitators wearing black T-shirts that read, “Sanctuary Campus Now” and “ICE Off Campus.”
Multiple orders to disperse were given. The NYPD says the orders were disobeyed roughly 20 minutes.
NYPD officers arrest agitators who blocked traffic on Broadway as they demonstrate against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Columbia University on Feb. 5, 2026, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The agitators were taken into custody.
In a statement posted to its website, the university said it “supports the right of individuals to peacefully protest,” but noted claims made against Columbia during Thursday’s protest were “factually incorrect.”
“To be clear, the University requires ICE to have a judicial warrant to access non-public areas, such as classrooms, housing, and other areas requiring a Columbia University ID,” university officials wrote. “An administrative warrant is not sufficient to access non-public areas of the University. We have a clear protocol for potential visits from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents, which are publicly available on our website.”
NYPD officers give final warnings to agitators blocking traffic on Broadway as they demonstrate against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Columbia University on Feb. 5, 2026, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
“As we made clear repeatedly, no member of Columbia’s leadership or the board of trustees has ever requested the presence of ICE agents on or near campus,” the school added. “This is a false assertion.”
Tensions remain high following the arrest of former Columbia student and anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil in March 2025 at his Manhattan apartment by federal immigration agents.
Khalil, a legal permanent resident, was ordered to be released from detention on June 20, though a federal appeals court in January found U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz of New Jersey lacked “subject-matter jurisdiction” under federal immigration law to halt his deportation.
Following the ruling, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) claimed the opinion does not take effect immediately and the Trump administration cannot lawfully re-detain Khalil while he has the opportunity to seek immediate review.
