Federal immigration agents detained a Columbia University student, prompting renewed scrutiny of ICE activity on campuses and legal debate over agents’ authority in academic settings. The detained student, Elmina Aghayeva, has a prominent social profile and the episode has drawn national attention to the tactics used by federal officers during on‑campus arrests. Legal analyses published after the arrest argue that federal agents have no special privileges on campuses and that certain tactics used to effect arrests may be legally questionable. University officials must now balance cooperation with federal law enforcement against student safety, consular notifications, and protections for international students. Colleges should review campus access policies, counsel availability for detained students, and communication protocols for notifying families and stakeholders. Immigration‑related enforcement is likely to remain a flashpoint on selective campuses where international students and public scrutiny intersect.