Columbia University student Elmina Aghayeva from Azerbaijan was released by federal authorities following a meeting between New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, Reuters reported. Removal proceedings have been launched against her, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Mamdani, a Democrat, visited the White House for the second time since his mayoral election late last year. Posting a photo with Trump on social media, he said: "I had a productive meeting with President Trump this afternoon. I'm looking forward to building more housing in New York City."

The mayor raised concerns directly with Trump regarding Aghayeva’s detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The president later informed him she would be “released imminently,” the mayor said.

Housing affordability featured prominently in discussions, echoing the November meeting between the two men. Trump, a former real estate developer, reacted positively to Mamdani’s proposals for increasing housing supply in New York City. Making housing more affordable has been a priority for Trump ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, as mortgage rates remain high and supply falls short of demand across the country.

Economists and trade groups have noted that U.S. policies on trade and immigration have raised costs for building materials and appliances, while limiting labour availability, complicating construction efforts. Cost-of-living concerns were also central to Mamdani’s successful mayoral campaign.

Mamdani has previously criticised Trump’s hardline immigration approach, including ICE deportation practices, and the president’s policies regarding Israel’s conflict in Gaza. His office provided the White House with a list of four pro-Palestinian students facing deportation: Mahmoud Khalil, Yunseo Chung, Mohsen Mahdawi, and Leqaa Kordia. Kordia remains in detention following a seizure and the loss of dozens of family members in Gaza, while the other three students were released over the past year.

Trump has characterised pro-Palestinian protesters as antisemitic. Demonstrators, including some Jewish groups, have countered that he conflates criticism of Israel’s assault on Gaza and occupation of Palestinian territories with antisemitism, and advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism.