A Columbia University student was detained by federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security who entered the school’s campus Thursday morning, officials said.

In a statement, the university’s acting president, Claire Shipman, said the agents entered a Columbia residential building around 6:30 a.m. and detained a student, who has not been identified. 

What You Need To Know

A Columbia University student was detained by federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security who entered the school’s campus Thursday morning, officials said

Columbia’s acting president said the school believes the agents “made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a ‘missing person'”

It wasn’t immediately clear why the student was detained. NY1 has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, the NYPD and City Hall for comment

“Our understanding at this time is that the federal agents made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a ‘missing person,’” Shipman said. “We are working to gather more details.” 

“It is important to reiterate that all law enforcement agents must have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena to access non-public areas of the University, including housing, classrooms, and areas requiring CUID swipe access,” she added. “An administrative warrant is not sufficient.”

According to Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents “impersonated NYPD with fake badges and a phony missing persons bulletin for a 5 year old girl.”

UPDATE: ICE agents impersonated NYPD with fake badges and a phony missing persons bulletin for a 5 year old girl.

They purposefully deceived campus housing/security to gain entry to the student’s apartment.

The level of civil rights violations that took place is staggering. https://t.co/xxAt7kwSOY

— Brad Hoylman-Sigal 🌈🥯 (@bradhoylman) February 26, 2026

“They purposefully deceived campus housing/security to gain entry to the student’s apartment,” Hoylman wrote. “The level of civil rights violations that took place is staggering.”

It wasn’t immediately clear why the student was detained. NY1 has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, the NYPD and City Hall for comment.

Gov. Kathy Hochul posted about the incident soon after Columbia made its announcement. 

“Let’s be clear about what happened: ICE agents didn’t have the proper warrant, so they lied to gain access to a student’s private residence,” she wrote on social media. “I’ve proposed a bill that would ban ICE from entering sensitive locations like schools and dorms. Let’s get it passed now.”

In a statement, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Majority Leader Shaun Abreu said they had been briefed on what they called a “disturbing incident on the Columbia campus.” 

“ICE has no place in our schools and universities,” the two wrote. “These activities do not make our city or country safer, but rather drive mistrust and danger.” 

“As Columbia College alumni, our hearts are with the community there, and we have been in contact with the University to offer our assistance,” they added.

The incident comes nearly a year after federal immigration authorities arrested Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who helped lead protests against Israel’s war in Gaza at Columbia University as a graduate student at the school.

Khalil and his wife were living in a university-owned apartment at the time of his arrest. 

While Khalil was released from immigration detention back in June, he is currently in a legal battle with the Trump administration as it continues to attempt to deport him.

Khalil, a legal permanent resident with a green card, has said he will continue to fight his case in court.