A student at Columbia University reported being detained by fake police under the pretext of searching for a child, before a meeting with former President Trump led to her release.
Ellie Aghayeva, a student at Columbia University, sent a distress signal to her followers on Instagram while being detained in a vehicle, claiming to have been apprehended by individuals posing as police officers. This unusual situation arose when federal agents allegedly acted on a false lead regarding a missing child, causing considerable alarm among the university community. The incident escalated quickly, drawing significant media attention and criticism concerning the actions of immigration enforcement agencies in the United States.
The situation took a dramatic turn when former President Donald Trump intervened after receiving information about Aghayeva's arrest. With the participation of New York's mayor Zohran Mamdani, the discussion led to a swift resolution, resulting in the release of Aghayeva a few hours after her initial detention. This intervention sparked conversations about the roles of law enforcement and the treatment of students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, within the immigration enforcement landscape.
The incident has not only raised concerns about the legitimacy and practices of immigration enforcement agencies but also highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by international students in the U.S. education system. As public scrutiny increases, this case could lead to renewed discussions about the reforms needed in immigration policy and the relationship between federal agencies and educational institutions.
