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| ✓ Verified - washingtontimes.com
NYC mayor says Trump promised to release Columbia University student arrested by ICE
#Trump#ICE arrest#Columbia University#New York mayor#Student release#Warrant requirements#Homeland Security
📌 Key Takeaways
Trump promised ICE would release a Columbia University student arrested earlier Thursday
Mayor Zohran Mamdani received the assurance during a phone call with the president
The student claims she was illegally arrested after officers made misrepresentations
A legal dispute exists between Columbia University and ICE regarding required warrants
📖 Full Retelling
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Thursday, February 26, 2026, that President Trump has promised to have ICE release Elimina Aghayeva, a Columbia University student who was arrested earlier that morning by Homeland Security officers. The mayor revealed that he had raised the matter with Trump during a phone conversation, and the president informed him that she would be released immediately. The arrest occurred after immigration officials allegedly made misrepresentations to gain access to the student's residential building at the university. The student herself took to social media following her arrest, claiming that Homeland Security 'illegally arrested me.' Columbia University officials weighed in on the incident, stating that immigration officers require 'a judicial warrant or a judicial subpoena' to access non-public areas of university buildings. This statement highlights a legal disagreement between the university and federal authorities, as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has previously argued that an administrative warrant can be sufficient in certain instances. The swift intervention by the mayor and subsequent promise from President Trump suggests the case has drawn significant attention at high levels of government.
🏷️ Themes
Immigration enforcement, Student rights, Government intervention
Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a private Ivy League research university in New York City, United States. It was first established in 1754 as King's College by royal charter under George II of Great Britain on the grounds of Trinity Church...
The mayor of New York City, officially mayor of the City of New York, is head of the executive branch of the government of New York City and the chief executive of New York City. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, and most public agencies, ...
President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025)
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.
Born into a wealthy New York City family, Trump graduated from the...
This news highlights a potential conflict between the Trump administration and academic institutions regarding freedom of speech and due process. The promise to release the student raises questions about executive power over immigration and the role of universities in protecting their students.
Context & Background
Recent increase in scrutiny of university free speech policies.
Ongoing debate about the handling of undocumented students by ICE.
Trump's past rhetoric on immigration and law enforcement.
What Happens Next
The immediate next step is to observe whether President Trump follows through on his promise. Further developments will likely involve legal challenges, political reactions from Congress, and statements from Columbia University and the Department of Homeland Security.
Original Source
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