On February 26, 2026, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents made headlines by detaining a student at Columbia University. The incident took place on the university’s property, where federal officers entered and apprehended the student. The student, identified as Ellie Aghayeva, was later released on the same day, according to an update shared on Aghayeva’s social media account.
Aghayeva, a neuroscience researcher pursuing an undergraduate degree in neurobiology and behavior and political science at Columbia University, is an international student with a visa majoring in neuroscience and political science. The detention of Aghayeva has raised concerns about the impact on international students coming to the United States for education.
Virginia Page Fortna, a professor at Columbia University, expressed her worries about how incidents like this could hinder the country’s ability to attract students from around the world for education. The detention of Aghayeva comes in the wake of another similar incident involving a Columbia student, Mahmoud Khalil, in March 2025, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by international students in the U.S.
Aghayeva, who is also a co-author on a book titled “Ways of Thinking and Imagining,” which delves into mental imagery and visual perception, has been actively involved in research at Columbia University. The book was published by the Living Lab, led by Alfredo Spagna, a former faculty member at Columbia University, specializing in the neural and psychological aspects of visual perception and mental imagery.
Columbia University’s acting president, Claire Shipman, stated that DHS agents misrepresented their intentions to gain entry to the building where Aghayeva was detained. The university did not confirm the student’s identity to the press, and DHS has yet to provide a comment on the incident.
As this story continues to develop, it underscores the importance of supporting journalism that covers critical issues affecting education, research, and international students. Stay tuned for updates on this evolving situation as more information becomes available.
