Five U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents entered a Columbia University dormitory in New York on the morning of February 26, claiming they were "searching for a missing person".

The agents were allowed onto campus after stating they were police officers looking for a missing child, according to Claire Shipman, acting President of Columbia University. Security camera footage showed the agents in a hallway, holding up a photo of the missing child.

However, the agents then entered the room of Ellie Aghayeva, an Azerbaijani student majoring in neuroscience and political science at the university. Before Aghayeva's arrest by ICE, a post on her social media account claimed she was "illegally arrested" and appealed for help to over 100,000 followers.

Ellie Aghayeva, an immigrant student from Azerbaijan at Columbia University. Photo: *People*

Images accompanying the post showed the student being pushed into the back seat of a vehicle, which appeared to belong to ICE agents. It remains unclear who posted the message using Aghayeva's account.

The actions of the ICE agents sparked opposition from Columbia University leaders and ignited a student protest on campus.

U.S. federal agents have previously arrested several international students at Columbia University, accusing them of participating in anti-Semitic and pro-Palestine protests. However, according to AP, Aghayeva had no public connection to pro-Palestine demonstrations. She is a content creator with a large following, sharing videos about daily life and university adaptation tips from an immigrant's perspective.

Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), stated that Aghayeva's student visa was revoked in 2016 due to insufficient class attendance. Columbia University did not respond to requests for confirmation regarding Aghayeva's visa status or her enrollment period.

Aghayeva's lawyers indicated she entered the U.S. on a visa around 2016 but declined to provide details on her current immigration status.

DHS also refuted allegations from some state officials that agents entered Aghayeva's room by posing as New York City police. McLaughlin did not confirm whether the agents claimed they were "searching for a missing person".

The incident drew the attention of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who discussed a large-scale housing project in the city with President Donald Trump on February 26. During their meeting, Mamdani stated he raised concerns about the arrest with Trump, and the President agreed to her immediate release. Hours later, ICE decided to free Aghayeva.

"I am safe", Aghayeva wrote on Instagram after her release, adding that she was "completely shocked" by the experience.

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the White House on 21/11/2025. Photo: *AFP*

U.S. media has recently highlighted ICE agents using "pretexts" to approach and arrest immigrants, following reports of agents posing as public utility workers or service personnel in Minneapolis and other locations.

While this tactic is often legal, immigration lawyers suggest these operational measures are increasingly employed in immigration enforcement raids, raising concerns that the government is adopting more aggressive enforcement tactics.