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NYC Public Advocate’s Statement On The Detention Of A Columbia Student By ICE

February 26th, 2026

"We are still working to gather information about the ICE abduction at Columbia this morning. What we know is that federal agents have detained another immigrant New Yorker, another Columbia student, and that this rogue agency has no regards for our policies, our laws, or our rights.

"It appears that agents may have misrepresented their identity and purpose to access the building and carry out this raid – a despicable and lawless act. Columbia’s leadership bent the knee to the Trump administration last year, and this incident should show them that caving to this bully only invites further abuse. Now, the institution needs to reverse course and stand with the faculty and staff committed to standing up– it’s on all of us to stand with immigrant New Yorkers– including the student detained and all those under threat."

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