Enforcement officers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detained a student at Columbia University on Thursday, Feb. 26 drawing widespread attention.
According to the New York Post, the operation took place at approximately 6:30 a.m. Thursday at Columbia’s campus in Morningside Heights. Officers entered a campus dormitory located at 501 W. 121st St. and took a student into custody. The number of officers involved has not been disclosed.
Columbia’s acting president, Claire Shipman, said in a letter to the university community that law enforcement officers made “misrepresentations” while entering the student residence. She said the university is gathering more information, has contacted the student’s family, and is providing legal support.
Local New York officials stated that federal agents allegedly impersonated New York Police Department (NYPD) officers to gain entry to the dormitory, reportedly using “fake badges” and other methods. However, DHS denied the allegations, emphasizing that the officers verbally identified themselves and wore badges visibly around their necks.
The report also said officers told campus security they were investigating the disappearance of a 5-year-old girl.
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According to ABC News, the detained student was Elmina Aghayeva, a member of Columbia University’s Class of 2026 majoring in neuroscience and political science.
She later posted on Instagram: “The Department of Homeland Security illegally arrested me. Please help.” The accompanying image appeared to be taken from inside a vehicle.
A DHS spokesperson told the New York Post that the operation was carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The statement said Aghayeva is an undocumented immigrant from Azerbaijan whose student visa was terminated during the Obama administration in 2016 for failing to attend classes as required. She currently has no pending appeals or immigration applications in the DHS system. The statement also noted that the building superintendent and her roommate allowed officers to enter the apartment.
Responding to claims of “impersonating police,” DHS further stated that Homeland Security Investigations personnel clearly identified themselves and would not claim to be NYPD officers.
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal wrote on social media platform X that the officers had “impersonated” police and used a “false missing child report” involving a 5-year-old girl, suggesting the incident may involve civil rights concerns. However, he later updated his post, saying it could not yet be confirmed whether ICE personnel had in fact impersonated police.
The report noted that the incident recalls another enforcement action at Columbia in March 2025. At that time, Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by ICE in his campus apartment in connection with protest activities at Columbia and Barnard College.
Authorities at the time alleged that he supported Hamas. Khalil was subsequently transferred to an ICE detention center in Louisiana and, after legal proceedings, was arranged for deportation to Algeria.
By Gao Yun
