Trump administration targets student protesters' identities

The Trump administration is asking universities for the names and nationalities of students who protested against antisemitism on campus. This has raised concerns among civil rights attorneys about how the information might be used. Federal civil rights attorneys have been investigating how universities handle antisemitism complaints. They typically request data on discrimination complaints and how university officials respond. However, in this case, they have been directed to collect personal details about students who may have harassed Jewish students or faculty. Three attorneys from the Office for Civil Rights expressed worry that this information could lead to the targeting or deportation of foreign students involved in protests. One attorney referred to the action as a "witch hunt." President Trump has emphasized his administration's commitment to investigating universities regarding antisemitism. He believes that pro-Palestinian demonstrations violate the rights of Jewish students. The administration has also halted $400 million in funding to Columbia University and sought to deport graduate student Mahmoud Khalil for participating in a protest. The Department of Education's demand for names and ethnic backgrounds followed a notice about investigations at five universities known for antisemitic harassment. These universities are Columbia, Northwestern, Portland State, UC Berkeley, and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. The usual requests for information have now included an unusual demand for personal data about students linked to harassment. Attorneys worry that such requests could violate civil rights laws and are beyond the Office for Civil Rights' proper scope, which is to ensure fair handling of complaints, not to discipline individual students. They flagged that this information could easily be misused.