Columbia Student Detained By US Immigration Agents, Released After Mamdani Meets Trump

Last Updated:February 27, 2026, 10:14 IST

Following her detention, Aghayeva was allowed to walk free after an apparent intervention by President Donald Trump.

Just hours after federal immigration authorities arrested a Columbia University student on Thursday, she was abruptly released after an apparent intervention by President Donald Trump.

The development came after massive protests erupted on the campus following the arrest of Ellie Aghayeva. It was alleged that agents gained entry to the university-owned residence by posing as police officers searching for a missing child.

Following her detention, Aghayeva was allowed to walk free after an apparent intervention by President Donald Trump.

In a social media post on Thursday afternoon, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he expressed concerns about the arrest during an unrelated meeting with Trump, who then agreed to release her immediately.

“I am safe and okay," Aghayeva wrote on Instagram, minutes after Mamdani’s post, adding she was in “complete shock" from the experience.

On Thursday, while pitching Trump on a massive housing project, Mamdani also called on the President to drop cases against several other current and former students facing deportation for their roles in protests against Israel.

Who Is Ellie Aghayeva?

Aghayeva, who is from Azerbaijan, is studying neuroscience and politics at Columbia Univeristy and hasn’t been publicly linked to any of the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that roiled the campus.

She is a self-described content creator and has a large social media. She shares videos revolving around her day-to-day life and tips for navigating college as an immigrant.

Columbia Student Detained By ICE

Early Thursday, five federal agents gained entry to her apartment at 6 am by claiming they were searching for a missing child, according to a petition from her lawyers and a statement released by Columbia’s acting president, Claire Shipman.

“The agents gained entry by stating they were police searching for a missing child," Shipman said in a video released on Thursday night. “Security cameras captured agents in a hallway showing pictures of the alleged missing child."

Aghayeva then dashed off a message to her more than 100,000 followers on Instagram: “DHS illegally arrested me. Please help."

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Aghayeva’s student visa had been terminated in 2016 for failing to attend classes.

In their petition, attorneys for Aghayeva said she had entered the country on a visa in or around 2016. They declined to provide additional comment, including details about her immigration status.

A spokesperson for DHS, Tricia McLaughlin, said Aghayeva had been placed in removal proceedings and “released while she waits for her hearing."

(With agency inputs)

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