IU among 60 universities under investigation by Trump administration over antisemitism claims

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating Indiana University Bloomington and 59 other schools for alleged violations “relating to antisemitic harassment and discrimination."

The office enforces Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color and national origin for institutions receiving federal funding. The office sent the universities — which included Northwestern, Ohio State, and Wisconsin — a warning Monday that they must “protect Jewish students on campus, including uninterrupted access to campus facilities and educational opportunities.”

IU didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. 

The universities are under investigation or monitoring based on reported civil rights complaints, the education department said. IU Bloomington has one open Title VI investigation for national origin discrimination based on religion. 

“National origin includes shared (Jewish) ancestry,” the department said.

The office doesn’t provide information for open investigations, but if reached, resolutions will be available online.

The warning follows President Donald Trump's executive order in January outlining a plan to crackdown on antisemitism. The order singled out college campuses, and Trump said he would cancel visas of foreign students who are "Hamas sympathizers.”

On March 7, the Trump Administration cancelled about $400 million in federal funding for Columbia University because of “persistent harassment of Jewish students.” The administration warned it was “the first round of action.” Mahmoud Khalil, a U.S. resident who helped lead protests at Columbia, was arrested and may be deported because of Trump’s executive order. 

Aubrey is WFIU/WTIU's higher education reporter and a Report For America corps member. Contact her at aubmwrig@iu.edu or follow her on X @aubreymwright.