Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

LetMyPeopleVote

(177,964 posts)
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 04:38 PM 3 hrs ago

Columbia University student says she has been released after being detained by DHS agents

Source: NBC

A Columbia University student who was detained early Thursday morning at her campus residence by immigration agents said she has been released.

DHS confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Elmina Aghayeva, who is from Azerbaijan. The agency said her student visa was terminated in 2016 “for failing to attend classes.”

“The building manager and her roommate let officers into the apartment,” the DHS statement said.

Aghayeva wrote on Instagram Thursday afternoon that she had been released and was on her way home. "I am safe and okay," she wrote, adding that she was in "complete shock over what happened."

Columbia University’s acting President Claire Shipman said in a letter that federal agents entered a residence hall at around 6:30 a.m. and detained the student. The letter added that the university’s administration is working to contact the family and provide legal support.

“Our understanding at this time is that the federal agents made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a ‘missing person,’” Shipman wrote.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/columbia-university-says-dhs-agents-detained-student-residential-build-rcna260808




1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Columbia University student says she has been released after being detained by DHS agents (Original Post) LetMyPeopleVote 3 hrs ago OP
2016 was 10 years ago. patphil 2 hrs ago #1

patphil

(8,908 posts)
1. 2016 was 10 years ago.
Thu Feb 26, 2026, 06:01 PM
2 hrs ago

She's still a student, and they let her go after a few hours. I get the feeling her situation changed a bit over the last 10 years.
Something prompted ICE to let her go. It'd be interesting to know what that was.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Columbia University stude...