An Azerbaijani Student's Release in New York: A Case of High-Stakes Intervention

Elmina Aghayeva

Columbia University saw a stir recently when Elmina Aghayeva, an Azerbaijani student studying neurobiology and political science, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The incident started with an early-morning raid at her dorm and eventually involved a conversation between New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and President Donald Trump.

The details of the arrest have caused anger over the actions of federal agents. According to Columbia University’s interim president, Claire Shipman, five agents got into the student housing building by saying they were police officers searching for a missing child. University officials and Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal say the agents showed fake photos of a child to get past security. They found Aghayeva but didn't show a judicial warrant when asked by university security.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says agents identified themselves correctly, but they didn't comment on using a trick to enter the building. The government says Aghayeva’s student visa was canceled in 2016 because she missed classes, so she didn't have permission to be in the country.

During a White House meeting, Mayor Mamdani spoke to President Trump about Aghayeva’s case, asking that she be allowed to stay in the city for her immigration hearings. Soon after their talk, the President made a phone call, and Aghayeva was released that evening.

Aghayeva shared her relief on social media, saying she was shocked but felt safe. Despite her release, the legal fight isn't over. She is waiting for a court appearance, as her deportation case is still active.

This incident has increased tension on campus, with student protests and calls to get rid of ICE. It also points out a growing trend of strict enforcement at schools, similar to other cases at Columbia. In response, the university plans to improve security, stating that federal agents must show a warrant signed by a judge before entering private campus areas. As the debate over deportation policies continues, Aghayeva’s future is now in the hands of the U.S. immigration court system.