US colleges warned of 'enforcement actions' over antisemitism allegations | Trump administration | The Guardian
Warning comes after cancellation of $400m in funding to Columbia and detention of activist Mahmoud Khalil
Chilling effect??
Yeah, maybe... D'ya think it's intended? I mean, using government ressources against private institutions would be wrong. Wouldn't it??
There are links in the seed.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The US education department's civil rights office issued warnings on Monday to 60 colleges and universities indicating that they may face "enforcement actions" for allegations of antisemitic harassment as well as discrimination on their campuses.
The warnings came just days after Donald Trump's second presidential administration canceled $400m in funding to Columbia University and arrested a prominent Palestinian activist, Mahmoud Khalil, who was a recent Columbia graduate and helped lead pro-Palestinian protests at the university last year.
In Monday's letters to the 60 higher education institutions, the federal education department's office of civil rights (OCR) said that the schools are all being investigated in response to complaints of alleged "violations relating to antisemitic harassment and discrimination".
'Reeks of McCarthyism': outrage after Ice detains Palestinian student activist Read more
A department statement said that it sent the admonitions under the agency's authority to enforce Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act, which "prohibits any institution that receives federal funds from discriminating on the basis of race, color, and national origin".
"National origin includes shared (Jewish) ancestry," the statement said.
The letters stem from an executive order signed by Trump shortly after retaking office in January that purported to "combat antisemitism". A fact sheet corresponding to Trump's order suggested deporting international students involved in pro-Palestinian protests.
In a statement on Monday, the education secretary, Linda McMahon, said that her department was "deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite US 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," the former executive for the WWE professional wrestling promotion said. "US colleges and universities benefit from enormous public investments funded by US taxpayers.
"That support is a privilege, and it is contingent on scrupulous adherence to federal anti-discrimination laws."
Trump had recently threatened to halt all federal funding for any college or school that allows "illegal protests" and vowed to imprison "agitators". Just days later, the administration announced the cancellation of $400m in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University, accusing the institution of repeatedly failing to protect students from antisemitic harassment.
Columbia has been a focal point for campus protests against Israel's war in Gaza - demonstrations that erupted last spring both across the US and internationally, with students calling for an end to the US's support to the Israeli military as well as demanding that their universities divest from companies with ties to Israel.
At Columbia, such protests led to mass arrests, suspensions and the resignation of the university's president at the time.
On Saturday, in an unprecedented move that alarmed many advocates of constitutional free speech protections, federal immigration authorities arrested Khalil.
Trump described the arrest as the "first arrest of many to come".
Khalil, a permanent US resident, was arrested by federal immigration authorities who reportedly said they were acting on a state department order to revoke the green card granting him permanent residency.
As of Tuesday, Khalil had not been charged with any crime. However, two people with knowledge of the matter told the New York Times that the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, relied on a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 in the arrest of Khalil which gives him broad power to expel foreigners.
Initially, it was reported that Khalil had been taken to an immigration detention facility in New Jersey. However, as of Monday morning, he was being held at an immigration detention facility near Jena, Louisiana.
On Monday evening, a federal judge in Manhattan ordered the government not to deport Khalil while the judge reviews legal filings challenging his detention. The judge set a hearing for Wednesday.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights have joined Khalil's legal team, led by his attorney, Amy Greer. Greer stated on Monday that she had spoken with Khalil and that he is "healthy and his spirits are undaunted by his predicament".
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I don't agree with anything Mahmoud Khalil says. But he has the right to say it.
Once upon a time, the ACLU defended a Nazi group that wanted to parade through a Jewish neighborhood in Michigan (or somewhere up there).
Free speech.
He doesn't have the right to support a terrorist group.
He will have no defense and sent back to Syria where he can just join what he adores.
That's meaningless. Financial support would be illegal for anyone in the country, including "good American blood" like yourself. Verbal support is legal for anyone in the country, including "good American blood" like yourself.
No, it is in fact not. As much as it pains the left, citizens do, in fact, have protections that illegals and people on visas do not.
True, so tell me who is supporting this little terrorist and his minions with their professional signs and rent a protestors?
And, yes, I am a "good American blood". Thank you for pointing it out.
"Verbal support is legal for anyone in the country"
Not when it has been deemed as "aid and comfort to the enemy" when it is for a US identified terrorist group.
Your fantasy world is fascinating. It's a pity that you only give us glimpses of your Yellow Brick Road...
Your "fantasy world" is everyone else's truth.
Not my problem you can't counter anything I posted.
That was from 2023. Apparently, the constitution has been changed without our knowledge since then.
The constitution hasn't changed, we have just changed from an anti-American piece of shit senile leader, who interpreted it from a position of his head up his ass, to a leader who will not allow Antisemitic terrorist to stay in this country if they are guests.
So, you have evidence this guy is a terrorist? You should call Marco Rubio and let him know!
Get your evidence to them quick or he might get out of the country!
Oh, wait, you do have evidence, right? What? You don't? But then how can you accuse this man of being a terrorist? Because he is pro-Palestinian?
So, let me get this straight. If you support or verbally defend a foreign aggressor, like Hamas, who commits an unprovoked attack on a civilian population and kills thousands, you're a terrorist, right? But what if you support or verbally defend a foreign aggressor, like Russia, who commits an unprovoked attack on a civilian population and kills thousands you're what? A Republican?
Or maybe you don't even say you support the aggressor; you just call the victims losers who should have been able to protect themselves and thus deserve no sympathy or aid, does that make one a terrorist?
I find the double standards and monumental hypocrisy of those who want to throw our ally Ukraine to the merchant of death and allow Ukrainians to be slaughtered because we're tired of sending them aid would also attempt to claim moral superiority by vilifying anyone who dares suggest we shouldn't help fund Isreal's defense. The only real difference is that Palestine doesn't have nuclear weapons and Isreal does. If it were reversed as it is in Ukraine, it seems Republicans would be laying down at Palestine's feet saying "Hey, let's not fund Israel anymore because that could cause WWIII and so we should abandon our ally and let nature take it course...".
Just one small problem: however ugly it may be, Antisemitism is not a crime. In America, people are not supposed to be arrested unless they have committed a crime.
If ICE can arrest this man without cause, ICE can arrest you without cause.
Sad commentary on our current government only certain free speech is now allowed.
as noted above Antisemitism is not illegal.
So when will America start deporting those boys who carried tiki torches and shouted "Jews will not replace us"
And when can we expect Kanye West to be give a 3rd class ticket to some shit hole country?
Were those people from 2017 American citizens?
Ummm.... Sean?? Is your question rhetorical?
The new Deputy Press Secretary of the Defense Department has made anti-semitic comments on social media for a couple years.
Now ask yourself if America can deport American citizens.
What did he ask me? I can't see his comment
Still can't come up with anything within the eight years that this was taken. Same with all the other photos that are apparently have saved on your desktop.
There are literally thousands of photos of the little Hamas supporting terrorists in college campuses around the US.
... and you know that these are photos of terrorists because.... ?????
I don't see any question to you. Maybe he deleted it. He asked me "if America can deport American citizens", which (typically for Sean) is totally relevant.
Misdirection and sleight-of-hand are any fascist's best friends.
Google searches are s-o-o-o-o-o-o HARD!
they support terrorists.
Aiding and comforting the enemy, ie, terrorists
I didn't expect you to get it
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