Trump Administration Investigates 60 Universities Over Anti-Genocide Campus Protests

Washington (Quds News Network)- The U.S. Department of Education reportedly announced on Monday that 60 universities are currently under investigation for pro-Palestine campus protests, with allegations of “antisemitic discrimination and harassment.”

Fox News Digital reported on Monday that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) sent letters to the 60 higher education institutions warning that they could face legal repercussions “if they do not fulfill their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students on campus, including uninterrupted access to campus facilities and educational opportunities.”

The letters were sent to universities currently under investigation for allegations of antisemitic harassment and discrimination stemming from anti-genocide campus protests following Israel’s assault on Gaza which started on Ocotber 7, 2023.

The universities in question are in every major region of the country and include elite institutions like Ivy League schools as well as major state schools like the University of Michigan and University of Virginia.

“The Department is deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite U.S. campuses continue to fear for their safety amid the relentless antisemitic eruptions that have severely disrupted campus life for more than a year. University leaders must do better,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon claimed in a statement.

“U.S. colleges and universities benefit from enormous public investments funded by U.S. taxpayers. That support is a privilege and it is contingent on scrupulous adherence to federal antidiscrimination laws.”

“Over 140 complaints alleging antisemitic harassment and violence were filed with the Biden Education Department,” Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for the OCR, told Fox News Digital Monday.

Over the past weeks, there has been an escalation against pro-Palestine immigrants and students in the US.

Last week, the administration revoked $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University, citing its failure to address ‘antisemitism’.

The State Department also announced its plans to use AI to revoke the visas of foreign students who are deemed “pro-Hamas”.

On Saturday, Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestine activist and recent Columbia University graduate, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for taking part in anti-genocide protests.

Khalil, who is a permanent resident of the US, was detained by the ICE agents when he arrived at his home at a student resident facility with his pregnant wife.

As he was being detained, he was told that his student visa was being revoked. Khalil’s wife showed the agents his green card to prove that her husband, who graduated from a master’s programme in December, was not on a visa, but an agent replied that the green card would then be revoked.

Khalil played a key role in pro-Palestine and anti-genocide demonstrations on campus. He acted as a negotiator with university officials during protests for Palestine in the spring of 2024.

For more than 24 hours, Khalil’s location remained unknown. ICE later confirmed his transfer to a Louisiana facility. The Trump administration has not clarified whether Khalil’s green card status legally allows his deportation.

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman has blocked the deportation of Khalil. The decision delays his removal while legal arguments continue. The fedral judge issued the ruling and scheduled a hearing for March 12.

New York Attorney General Letitia James expressed concern, saying her office was monitoring the case. Khalil’s lawyer, Amy Greer, vowed to challenge his detention, calling it “a calculated and unjust act.”

Emails leaked by Zeteo show Khalil sought protection from Columbia University before his arrest. He warned school officials about a doxxing campaign against him. He reported threats and feared for his safety. His messages also raised concerns about discrimination, after his university ID was suddenly deactivated.

Khalil’s arrest comes days after the New York Police Department was seen dragging students out of a sit-in at Columbia’s Barnard College, where students were protesting against the expulsion of three students for protests and disruptions in 2024.