Federal Agents Accused of Posing as Police to Arrest Columbia Student

Immigration agents entered a university-owned building and arrested a student without a warrant, raising questions about their authority on college campuses.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Federal immigration agents were accused of falsely identifying themselves as police officers to gain entry to a Columbia University-owned apartment building, where they arrested a student without a warrant. The student, Ellie Aghayeva, was later released after the mayor intervened, but the incident has sparked questions about the legal limits of immigration agents' actions on college campuses.

Why it matters

The episode highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and the rights of students and private property owners on college campuses. It also raises concerns about the tactics used by immigration agents, who have been accused of circumventing legal requirements for warrants and identifying themselves properly.

The details

According to reports, five federal immigration agents entered a Columbia University-owned apartment building early Thursday morning, falsely telling the superintendent they were police officers searching for a missing child. They then went to the apartment of student Ellie Aghayeva and arrested her, despite a public safety officer's protest that they had no warrant. The university's president condemned the agents' actions as "utterly unacceptable." Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) claimed the agents identified themselves and that Aghayeva's student visa had been terminated in 2016.

  • The incident occurred early Thursday morning, around 6 a.m.
  • Aghayeva was released after Mayor Zohran Mamdani met with President Trump and asked for her case to be dismissed.

The players

Ellie Aghayeva

A Columbia University undergraduate who was arrested by federal immigration agents in her university-owned apartment.

Claire Shipman

The president of Columbia University, who condemned the agents' actions as "utterly unacceptable."

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor who met with President Trump and asked for Aghayeva's case to be dismissed.

John Torres

The former acting director of ICE who issued a memo endorsing the use of ruses by immigration agents, including "adopting the guise of another agency."

Todd Lyons

The former acting leader of ICE who drafted a memo telling agents they could enter homes on the basis of an administrative warrant, a policy that is being challenged in court.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.