A student at Columbia University was detained Thursday morning by federal immigration officers.
Columbia University President Claire Shipman said that “federal agents made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a ‘missing person.’” The school’s campus has been closed to outsiders since 2024.
The president did not name the student, but it has been confirmed to be Ellie Aghayeva, an undergraduate neuroscience student who was expected to graduate this year. She was taken from her dorm room at the school’s New York City campus at 6:30 am.
I would be surprised if it is.
Some federal agents get temporarily deputized as local law enforcement in the areas they operate in (and vice-versa).
It’s not illegal for law enforcement to lie.
Between 1 and 2, I’d be amazed if anything criminal could be charged here.
-Ex-cop