Wendy Wolford, vice provost for international affairs, sent an email on Friday afternoon informing the Cornell community about the University’s immigration support and resources, following U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s arrest of a Columbia student from her dorm on Thursday morning.
The email provides four types of resources available to the community: preparation, immediate assistance, immigration support and emotional and academic support.
In regards to preparation, Wolford provided a “Know Your Rights, Claim Your Rights” presentation and the University’s immigration violations policy.
“On or off campus, it is Cornell’s policy that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are only allowed to enter a closed university space or private residence if they have a valid judicial warrant or if someone voluntarily allows them to enter,” Wolford wrote.
In the case where immediate assistance is necessary, Wolford encouraged community members on the Ithaca campus to call the Cornell University Police Department at 607‑255‑1111. If immediate assistance is necessary at Cornell Tech, individuals are encouraged to call Cornell Tech Safety & Security at 646‑971‑3611. At Weill Cornell Medicine, individuals can call WCM Security at 212‑746‑0911.
The email statement was released a day after ICE agents arrested Columbia University graduate student Elmina Aghayeva, according to The Columbia Spectator. The agents gained access to Aghayeva’s residential building after telling the building superintendent they were searching for a missing child, according to the New York Times. They did not provide a warrant when asked by a public security officer.
Aghayeva was released around 3 p.m. the same day of her arrest after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke with President Donald Trump, demanding her release.
“The University is relieved and thrilled that our student, Ellie, has been released from detainment,” Columbia posted on X following Aghayeva’s release.
The email also provides information on where international community members can ask “questions about their immigration status, documentation, travel, or related matters should contact International Services directly,” she wrote.
International Services is available at the Ithaca campus, Student & Academic Affairs is available at Cornell Tech and Weill Cornell Medicine offers International Student Services.
The fourth category of resources focuses on emotional and academic support “if recent events are causing stress or anxiety.” These resources include the Cornell Health Counseling & Psychological Services, Student Support and Advocacy Services and Faculty & Staff Assistance Program.
Cornell administration is continuing to monitor the situation at Columbia, Wolford wrote in the email.
“We recognize that news and social media can create uncertainty and stoke fear,” Wolford wrote. “Please remember that you do not need to navigate concerns alone. If you have questions about your individual circumstances, reach out to the appropriate campus office for accurate, situation-specific guidance.”
Coral Platt is a member of the Class of 2029 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a staff writer for the News department and can be reached at cplatt@cornellsun.com.
