Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents deceptively posed as police officers searching for a "missing child" to gain entry into a dormitory at Columbia University, an area generally restricted from access without permission. Their tactic included holding a photo to bolster their ruse, successfully leading them to Elmina Aghayeva, a student at the prestigious university. This incident sparked significant concern among students and faculty regarding the methods used by federal agents in sensitive areas like educational institutions.

The situation escalated when the dormitory staff realized the agents' fraud. Despite the unauthorized access and the controversy it generated, Aghayeva was subsequently released, largely attributed to the efforts of local activists like Mamdani, who intervened on her behalf. This event highlights the broader issues of immigration enforcement in academic environments and the alarming tactics employed by agencies like ICE that raise ethical questions about their role in communities.

This incident underscores the increasing tensions between immigration enforcement and the rights of students, particularly those who may be undocumented or belong to marginalized communities. It raises important dialogues about the protection students should have in their educational facilities and the response from higher education institutions to similar events in the future. Many are calling for stronger policies to ensure safety within academic environments, prompting universities to reconsider how they safeguard their students against potential ICE interventions.