Federal agents have released Columbia University student Ellie Aghayeva after detaining her inside a campus residence hall earlier this week, according to statements from city officials and the university.
The detention drew swift public attention after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed he raised Aghayeva’s case during a meeting with President Donald Trump.
Mamdani said he was informed that the student would be released “imminently,” and hours later authorities confirmed that Aghayeva was no longer in federal custody.
Columbia University officials stated that agents entered a dormitory building claiming they were investigating a missing person. University representatives said no judicial warrant was presented at the time access was requested.
The institution has launched an internal review to determine how the agents gained entry and whether established campus protocols were followed.
University President Minouche Shafik said Columbia is cooperating with federal authorities while also seeking clarity about the legal basis for the operation.
She emphasized the university’s responsibility to safeguard students’ rights and ensure that law enforcement actions on campus comply with the law.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security acknowledged that Aghayeva had been detained and later released but did not provide details about the specific agency involved or the grounds for her initial custody.
Officials have not announced any criminal charges against her.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani called for greater transparency, stating that any enforcement action involving students must respect due process protections.
He added that his office is requesting a full explanation from federal authorities about the circumstances surrounding Aghayeva’s detention.
Civil rights advocates have also expressed concern over reports that agents may have used investigative claims to access student housing without a warrant.
Legal analysts note that while federal authorities may operate on university campuses under certain conditions, entry into residential spaces typically requires judicial authorization unless specific exceptions apply.
As of the latest update, Ellie Aghayeva has returned to campus. Federal officials have not disclosed whether the investigation that prompted her detention remains active.
The incident has sparked renewed discussion in New York about the scope of federal enforcement actions and the protections afforded to students living in university housing.