Columbia University student released from ICE detention after Mamdani-Trump meeting
PTC News Desk: Federal immigration officials arrested a Columbia University student early Thursday, which led to protests on campus. There were also claims that agents entered the university housing by pretending to be police officers looking for a missing child.
However, just a few hours after arresting student Ellie Aghayeva, the government suddenly released her. This reportedly happened after Donald Trump intervened.
In a social media post, Zohran Mamdani said he raised concerns about her arrest during a separate meeting with Trump, who then agreed to free her immediately. This surprising turn of events highlighted the unusual relationship between Trump, a Republican leader, and Mamdani, a democratic socialist whom Trump had previously threatened to deport.
Just got off the phone with President Trump.
In our meeting earlier, I shared my concerns about Columbia student Elmina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning.
He has just informed me that she will be released imminently. https://t.co/rvmTWpq83r — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) February 26, 2026
During the same meeting, Mamdani was discussing a large housing project and also asked Trump to drop deportation cases against other current and former students involved in protests against Israel.
Aghayeva, a final-year student from Azerbaijan studying neuroscience and politics, has not been publicly connected to any pro-Palestinian protests at the university. She is also a content creator with a large social media following, where she shares daily life videos and advice for immigrant students.
- PTC NEWS
