Elly Agayeva, an international student at Columbia University, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from the university’s campus Thursday morning. University authorities said that Department of Homeland Security officers entered the campus residential building at 6:30 a.m., adding that the officer lied to gain entry into the university residence.
They said they were looking for a “missing person” but ended up arresting a university student. “We are working to gather more information, working to reach the family, and providing legal support. Our understanding at this time is that federal agents provided false information to gain entry to the building to search for a ‘missing person,'” Acting Chief Claire Shipman said in a statement. “We are working to gather more details.”Agyaeva posted a video from the back of the car while it was being transported. “Dirham has arrested me illegally. Please help.”College of General Studies Dean Lisa Rosen Mitsch announced the student’s arrest in an email to general studies students Thursday morning.The school is working “in close cooperation with the university administration to support our students and their families during this very difficult situation,” according to the email from Rosen-Metsch, which was obtained by The Columbia Spectator.
She described the arrest as “disturbing and disturbing to our community.”
“Let’s be clear about what happened.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said ICE agents did not have a warrant and so lied to enter the student’s private residence. “Let’s be clear about what happened: ICE agents did not have the proper warrant, so they lied to gain access to the student’s private housing,” X wrote. “I have proposed a bill that would prevent ICE from entering sensitive sites like schools and dorms.
Let’s pass it now.”
Illegal alien from Azerbaijan: DHS
The Department of Homeland Security described social media influencer Aghaeva as an illegal alien from Azerbaijan and said her student visa had been terminated in 2016 under the Obama administration for failing to attend classes. “The building manager and her roommate allowed officers into the apartment. She has no appeals or requests pending with the Department of Homeland Security,” the department said.
