Days after a Columbia University student was arrested inside her university housing by ICE agents who allegedly posed as police officers searching for a missing child, sparking outrage and protests, there were few new details regarding her deportation case. Ellie Aghayeva was detained Thursday af ter being taken by Department of Homeland Security agents early that morning. Hours later, she was released following apparent intervention by President Donald Trump — which came after the president held an unrelated meeting with NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani in Washington. Mamdani said he expressed concerns about the arrest to the president. Trump later called the mayor to tell him Aghayeva would be released, according to Mamdani. On Monday, a federal judge dismissed a motion filed by Aghayeva’s lawyers Thursday to end her detainment — a motion that was deemed “moot” given that she had already been released. While the dismissal officially ended the detainment drama, it was not clear whether Aghayeva’s deportation case would be impacted. The attorney listed as representing Aghayeva in the case declined to comment to NBC New York and would not confirm or deny whether they were still representing Aghayeva. When asked about Monday’s ruling, the attorney’s office said they have “no information.” DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump Administration Feb 27 Mamdani shares few details on Trump meeting that helped lead to Columbia student's release Immigration Feb 26 Columbia student taken by ICE after agents claimed to be police looking for missing child On Thursday, Aghayeva wrote on Instagram “I am safe and okay,” minutes after Mamdani’s post about her release, adding she was in “complete shock” from the experience. The mayor also called on the president to drop cases against several other current and former students facing deportation for their roles in protests against Israel. Aghayeva, a senior from Azerbaijan studying neuroscience and politics, hasn’t been publicly linked to any of the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that roiled Columbia’s campus. A self-described content creator, she has amassed a large social media following by sharing day-in-the-life videos and tips for navigating college as an immigrant. Early Thursday, five federal agents gained entry to her apartment at 6 a.m. by claiming they were searching for a missing child, according to a petition from her lawyers and a statement released by Columbia’s acting president, Claire Shipman. “The agents gained entry by stating they were police searching for a missing child,” Shipman said in a video released Thursday night. “Security cameras captured agents in a hallway showing pictures of the alleged missing child.” Aghayeva then dashed off a message to her more than 100,000 followers on Instagram: “DHS illegally arrested me. Please help.” A photo accompanying the post appeared to show her legs in the back seat of a vehicle. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Aghayeva’s student visa had been terminated in 2016 for failing to attend classes. Inquiries to Columbia about her visa status and how long she had been enrolled in the university were not returned. In their petition, attorneys for Aghayeva said she had entered the country on a visa in or around 2016. They declined to provide additional comment, including details about her immigration status. A spokesperson for DHS, Tricia McLaughlin, said Aghayeva had been placed in removal proceedings and “released while she waits for her hearing.” She disputed allegations that agents had posed as New York City police officers but didn’t respond to questions about whether they had claimed to be seeking a missing child. The use of disguises or other misrepresentations by immigration authorities has drawn attention in recent months, after federal agents were seen posing as utility workers and other service employees in Minneapolis and elsewhere. The practice is legal, in most cases. But immigration attorneys say such ruses are becoming increasingly common, adding to concerns about the Trump administration’s dramatic reshaping of immigration enforcement tactics nationwide. Many students and faculty called on Columbia to increase protections for international students following the arrest last March of Mahmoud Khalil, a former graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist, whose deportation case remains ongoing. In an email to the Columbia community Thursday, Shipman said that residential staff had been reminded not to allow federal law enforcement into university buildings without a subpoena or warrant. “If you encounter or observe DHS/ICE agents conducting enforcement activities on or near campus, immediately contact Public Safety,” the acting president wrote. “Do not allow them to enter non-public areas or accept service of a warrant or subpoena.” CORRECTION: A previous version of this story stated that federal charges against Aghayeva had been dismissed Monday. There are no federal charges against Aghayeva. What was dismissed by a federal judge was the motion by Aghayeva’s attorney to have her released from detainment, a motion that became “moot” after she was released Thursday. ...read more read less