ICE Detains Columbia Student Using Deceptive Tactics

Federal agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained a Columbia University undergraduate student in university housing early Thursday morning, prompting outrage from campus officials and city leaders over the methods used to gain access to the building.

The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. in a residential building on the New York City campus. According to a statement from acting university President Claire Shipman, the agents misrepresented their purpose, claiming they were searching for a missing person to secure entry. The student, identified as Ellie Aghayeva, an undergraduate majoring in neuroscience and political science, posted on her Instagram story a photo appearing to show her legs in a vehicle, along with the message: "Dhs illegally arrested me. Please help."

Aghayeva, originally from Azerbaijan, is described by friends and university records as a neuroscience researcher in her final semester. She co-authored a book on mental imagery and visual perception with former Columbia faculty member Alfredo Spagna. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed the detention, stating that ICE arrested Elmina Aghayeva, whose student visa had been...