Federal immigration agents detained Ellie Aghayeva, a Columbia University neuroscience researcher, early Thursday morning after allegedly making misrepresentations to campus security. Acting President Claire Shipman stated that Homeland Security agents gained building access by falsely claiming to search for a 'missing person' at 6:30 a.m.

The university is investigating whether agents presented the required judicial warrant before entering non-public areas. New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed on social media that ICE lacked proper authorization, stating agents 'lied to gain access to a student's private residence.' Aghayeva, originally from Azerbaijan and set to graduate from Columbia's School of General Studies, posted on Instagram that DHS 'illegally arrested' her.

This incident follows the high-profile detention last year of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestine protest leader who was held for three months without charges. Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi, both Green Card holders, were eventually released after a judge ruled the federal government violated their constitutional rights. The university community held an emergency rally to protest Aghayeva's detention, highlighting growing concerns about immigration enforcement on campus.