Columbia student detained by DHS agents who made “misrepresentations” to enter building, university president says
A Columbia University A student was arrested by federal agents Thursday morning in one of its residential buildings, the university’s interim president said.
“Our understanding at this time is that federal agents made false claims to enter the building and search for a ‘missing person,'” Claire Shipman wrote in an email to the Columbia community.
CBS News New York has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.
Shipman did not provide details on exactly where the incident occurred, saying it only happened at 6:30 a.m.
She emphasized that law enforcement officers must have a warrant or subpoena to enter private university property, including housing areas.
“An administrative mandate is not enough,” she wrote.
Read the full email to students
Here is Shipman’s full email to students:
Dear members of the Columbia community:
This morning, around 6:30 a.m., federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security entered a residential building in Columbia and arrested a student. We are working to gather more information, reach out to the family and provide legal support.
Our understanding at this time is that federal agents made false statements to enter the building and search for a “missing person.” We are working to gather more details.
It is important to reiterate that all law enforcement officers must have a judicial warrant or subpoena to access non-public areas of the University, including housing, classrooms, and areas requiring CUID scanning access. An administrative mandate is not enough.
If law enforcement officers seek to enter non-public areas of the University, instruct them to wait to enter the non-public areas until they contact Public Safety. Public Safety will contact the Office of General Counsel to coordinate the University’s response. Do not allow them to enter or accept service of a warrant or subpoena.
We will update our community as additional information becomes available.
Columbia University is a hot spot
Columbia University has been a hot spot since campus protests erupted after Hamas attacked Israelkilling civilians and take hostages on October 7, 2023.
Israel’s retaliation and its consequences war against Hamas in Gaza drawn widespread criticism and encouraged protests on the Columbia campus. These protests have spread across the country.
In March 2025, Mahmoud Khalilpro-Palestinian activist and graduate student involved in protests at Columbia, was recovered by federal agents from his Manhattan apartmentwhen leaving a long legal battle like the Trump administration I tried to expel it.
Check back soon for more on this developing story.
