Columbia student arrested by ICE agents who impersonated NYPD to enter dorm
Feb 26, 2026·Location: New York, NY
Country of origin: Azerbaijan

Ellie Aghayeva, a Columbia University General Studies student from Azerbaijan, was arrested by ICE agents early Thursday morning at her university-owned residence. According to University President Claire Shipman, federal agents impersonated New York Police Department officers to gain entry to the building. Aghayeva was released from ICE custody Thursday afternoon and posted on Instagram that she was "safe and okay." Her student visa had been terminated in 2016 for failing to attend classes.
Sources
- New York Times
- Columbia says ICE agents used false pretenses to enter a university residence and detain a student. Here’s what we know
CNN·Feb 27, 2026·archived copy
- Columbia president says student was detained by DHS agents who claimed they were looking for missing child
NBC News·Feb 27, 2026·archived copy
- ICE arrests Columbia student, Shipman says agents lied to enter University-owned residence
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