Trump releases scholar detained by ICE as he’s accused of letting ‘9s and above keep’

Columbia University student Elaina Aghayeva was nabbed by immigration officers in a controversial early morning raid at her campus in New York which has caused outrage

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A Columbia University student in New York, USA, Elaina Aghayeva, was arrested by immigration officers (ICE). The surprise early morning raid at her student accommodation quickly caused outrage among university staff and city officials.

ICE officers reportedly tricked their way into her building by pretending to search for a missing child, and did not show a warrant. After public outcry and intervention from New York’s mayor, who spoke directly with US President Donald Trump, Aghayeva was released.

Since Aghayeva’s identity and photographs have been made public, many on social media have speculated that she was freed as a result of being an “attractive” woman.

Aghayeva was released from immigration detention after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani secured assurances from Trump during a meeting at the White House on Thursday (February 26). Mamdani announced on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Just got off the phone with President Trump.

“In our meeting earlier, I shared my concerns about Columbia student Elaina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning. He has just informed me that she will be released imminently.”

Columbia University later confirmed the news, stating: “The university is relieved and thrilled that our student, Ellie, has been released from detainment. We will share additional details this evening.”

Subsequently, Aghayeva’s photo went viral, sparking a wave of speculations regarding her release. An X user wrote: “If she’s a nine, she’s fine.”

A person commented: “From an immigration hardliner, I’m willing to make an exception for this one.” Someone else penned: “Mamdani told Trump: ‘Not this one.’

“Trump agreed. LMAO.”

A commentator quipped: “He showed him this picture and that was that.” An observer shared a meme of Trump holding a sign that read: “9s and above can stay.”

A separate individual chimed in: “Not sure she’s a nine or above but certainly attractive.” The mayor had been in Washington, DC, for an unplanned meeting with Trump, his second since taking office, the New York Post reported.

Aghayeva, who is due to graduate this year, posted on Instagram after her arrest, writing: “Dhs illegally arrested me. Please help.”

According to US authorities, Aghayeva is an Azerbaijani national whose student visa was revoked in 2016 for not attending classes. The early morning raid at Columbia’s Morningside Heights campus saw five ICE agents enter the student’s accommodation “without any kind of warrant”, according to acting university president Claire Shipman.

She said the agents “misrepresented” themselves as police searching for a missing child to gain access to the building and Aghayeva’s flat, a tactic caught on security cameras. Shipman explained: “Once inside the apartment, it became clear they had misrepresented themselves.

“A public safety officer arrived, asked multiple times for a warrant, which was not produced, and asked for time to call his boss, which was not given.” She called the incident “a frightening and fast-moving situation and utterly unacceptable for our students and staff”.

She further stressed: “Let me be clear, misrepresenting identity and other facts to gain access to a residential building is a breach of protocol.” She added that law enforcement agencies “must have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena to gain access to a Columbia residential building” and are required to “follow established legal and ethical standards”.

The arrest sparked outrage among New York officials. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal posted on X that the agents “purposefully deceived campus housing/security to gain entry to the student’s apartment”. He added: “The level of civil rights violations that took place is staggering.”

Council Speaker Julie Menin, a Columbia alumna, called the incident “disturbing” and wrote: “ICE has no place in our schools and universities. These activities do not make our city or country safer, but rather drive mistrust and danger.”

Columbia University reportedly said it would provide further guidance and support for students and staff following the incident.

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