Columbia Flouted Its Own Policies and Let ICE Into University Buildings

An investigation by The Intercept reports that Columbia University repeatedly failed to enforce its own policies requiring judicial warrants for law enforcement entry into non-public campus areas, enabling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to access university buildings without proper documentation. This alleged failure facilitated the arrests of multiple international students, including Elmina Aghayeva and Mahmoud Khalil, despite a clear university policy communicated in March 2025. Critics assert that the university prioritized other security concerns over protecting students from federal immigration authorities. This raises questions about Columbia's commitment to its stated policies and student protections. The university has since announced enhanced security measures and additional staff training.