Columbia pupil detained by DHS brokers who made “misrepresentations” to enter constructing, college president says

A Columbia College pupil was detained by federal brokers Thursday morning at considered one of its residential buildings, the college’s appearing president stated. 

“Our understanding at the moment is that the federal brokers made misrepresentations to achieve entry to the constructing to seek for a ‘lacking individual,'” Claire Shipman wrote in an electronic mail to the Columbia neighborhood.

CBS Information New York has reached out to the Division of Homeland Safety for remark. 

Shipman did not present particulars of precisely the place the incident occurred, saying solely it passed off at 6:30 a.m. 

She emphasised that regulation enforcement brokers are required to have a warrant or subpoena to enter the college’s personal property, together with housing areas. 

“An administrative warrant shouldn’t be enough,” she wrote. 

“I wish to know if that they had a warrant”

Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed concern concerning the detention. 

“I wish to know if that they had a warrant. What the circumstances of that arrest have been. And … we’re nonetheless on the lookout for extra data, however, to misrepresent who they’re, I’ve stated they’re uncontrolled,” Hochul stated. 

Hochul stated she was nonetheless gathering data. 

Metropolis Council Speaker Julie Menin and majority chief Shaun Abreu, each Columbia alumni, stated they’d been briefed and had supplied the college their help, including “ICE has no place in our faculties and universities.” 

Learn the complete electronic mail to college students 

Here is Shipman’s full electronic mail to the scholars: 

Pricey members of the Columbia neighborhood:

This morning at roughly 6:30 a.m., federal brokers from the Division of Homeland Safety entered a Columbia Residential constructing and detained a pupil. We’re working to collect extra data, working to achieve the household, and offering authorized help.

Our understanding at the moment is that the federal brokers made misrepresentations to achieve entry to the constructing to seek for a “lacking individual.” We’re working to collect extra particulars.

You will need to reiterate that each one regulation enforcement brokers should have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena to entry personal areas of the College, together with housing, school rooms, and areas requiring CUID swipe entry. An administrative warrant shouldn’t be enough.

If regulation enforcement brokers search entry to personal areas of the College, ask the brokers to attend to enter any personal areas till contacting Public Security. Public Security will contact the Workplace of the Basic Counsel to coordinate the College’s response. Don’t enable them to enter or settle for service of a warrant or subpoena.

We’ll replace our neighborhood as extra data turns into accessible.

Columbia College has been a flashpoint 

Columbia College has been a flashpoint since campus protests broke out after Hamas attacked Israel, killing civilians and taking hostages on Oct. 7, 2023. 

Israel’s retaliation and subsequent conflict towards Hamas in Gaza drew widespread criticism and prompted protests on Columbia’s campus. These protests unfold nationwide. 

In March 2025, Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and graduate pupil concerned within the protests at Columbia, was picked up by federal brokers at his Manhattan residence, setting off a prolonged authorized battle because the Trump administration tried to deport him. 

Verify again quickly for extra on this creating story.