The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights sent letters to 60 colleges and universities it says are under investigation for alleged violations “relating to antisemitic harassment and discrimination,” warning institutions of possible consequences if they don’t take adequate steps to protect Jewish students.
The Office for Civil Rights said that it sent letters under its authority to enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which bans any institution receiving federal funds from discriminating based on race, color, and national origin.
The announcement comes amid mounting pressure on university administrators to rein in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which have erupted periodically on college campuses across the country over the past year and led to the arrest of hundreds of demonstrators.
President Donald Trump’s administration has made combating what it considers anti-Israel and antisemitic movements on college campuses a priority.
He signed an executive order during his second week in office to “combat antisemitism” in schools and on university campuses, and on February 3 announced the creation of a multiagency task force to carry out the mandate.
Trump also vowed to cut federal funding to colleges accused of tolerating antisemitism, announcing last week that Columbia would be the first target.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon described the protests as “attacks” on Jewish students and faculty in an interview on CNBC, adding that Trump “has been incredibly clear that he is not going to tolerate that kind of attacks on campuses and that he will defund those universities.”
