Columbia University student Ellie Aghayeva, who was detained by federal immigration agents, was released hours later after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani raised her case directly with President Donald Trump during a meeting. Trump agreed to her release shortly after.
Mamdani shared the news on X, saying he brought up the arrest during an unrelated meeting with the president. Soon after, Aghayeva posted on Instagram: “I am safe and okay,” adding that she was in “complete shock” over the experience.
