Columbia University student Ellie Aghayeva arrested by ICE after agents entered campus housing on ‘missing person’ claim

Ellie Aghayeva, a student at Columbia University, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who entered her campus housing under the pretext of searching for a missing person. According to Aghayeva's petition, the federal agents did not possess a warrant and misrepresented their intentions to gain access to her residence. The filing notes that no explanation was provided for her arrest. Following the incident, she was transferred to a federal detention facility located in Lower Manhattan. This event highlights ongoing concerns regarding the tactics employed by immigration enforcement agencies, particularly in sensitive environments like educational institutions. Advocates for immigrant rights are raising alarm over the implications of such actions on students' safety and well-being, emphasizing the need for clearer protocols governing ICE operations on college campuses. The situation has drawn significant attention as it raises questions about the rights of students and their protection from federal overreach in educational settings.