In a dramatic intervention, former President Donald Trump authorized the release of a Columbia University student detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The announcement was made by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani following a direct conversation with Trump.
Mayor’s Direct Appeal to Trump
Mayor Mamdani took to social media to disclose the development. “I just got off the phone with President Trump,” he wrote. “I raised my concerns about Elmina Aghayeva, a Columbia student arrested by ICE this morning. He has just informed me she will be released imminently.”
Controversial Arrest Tactics Revealed
The student, Elmina Aghayeva, was arrested earlier in the day. According to Columbia’s interim president, Claire Shipman, five agents entered an off-campus residence without a warrant. They allegedly gained entry by posing as police officers searching for a missing child.
Security footage reportedly shows the agents in the hallway displaying photos of a child. “Once inside the apartment,” Shipman stated in a university video, “it became evident [the ICE members] had lied. It was a frightening situation… utterly unacceptable for our students and staff.”
Student Confirms Release
Elmina Aghayeva, identified as a neuroscience student from Azerbaijan, later confirmed her release on Instagram. “I just got out… I am safe,” she posted.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement tactics and the rare direct political intervention in individual detention cases.
