Columbia University Alleges US Immigration Agents Misrepresented Detention Information

Columbia University Detention Incident Involves Misrepresentation by US Immigration Agents

A statement from Columbia University’s acting president, Claire Shipman, confirmed that federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entered one of the school’s residential buildings on Thursday morning. The agents claimed to be searching for a “missing person” and made misrepresentations to gain access to the building.

According to Shipman, all law enforcement agents must have a judicial warrant or subpoena to access non-public areas of the university, including housing and classrooms. An administrative warrant is not sufficient for such access.

The student newspaper, the Columbia Spectator, reported that Ellie Aghayeval, a neuroscience researcher, was targeted in the detention. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that he had spoken with President Donald Trump about the situation, stating that Aghayeva would be released imminently.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a DHS agency, previously confirmed Aghayeva’s detention to several US media outlets. The agency stated that her student visa was terminated in 2016 for failing to attend classes.

Protesters had gathered on the campus, which has been the site of mass pro-Palestine demonstrations in 2024. Aghayeval wrote to fellow students early on Thursday, stating that DHS agents had illegally arrested her and asking for help.

The Trump administration has targeted several students in its mass deportation drive, which immigration advocates say relies on increasingly drastic tactics to meet high detention quotas. The university reached an agreement with the Trump administration in June after it threatened to withhold $1.3bn in funding over the university’s response to pro-Palestine protests and diversity initiatives.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the actions of immigration agents, stating that they must be held accountable for any violations of constitutionally protected rights.

Source: Al Jazeera