We, the undersigned, call on you to stand against unconstitutional government overreach that threatens free speech and academic freedom on your campus.

The U.S. Department of Education (DoE) has launched investigations into over 60 universities under the guise of combating antisemitism. While fighting discrimination is crucial, these investigations disproportionately target students and faculty who have expressed support for Palestinian rights or criticized Israeli policies. This sets a dangerous precedent that threatens not only free speech but also the fundamental rights of all students and faculty members.

WHY THIS MATTERS

• THREAT TO ACADEMIC FREEDOM: The Department of Education (DoE) has initiated investigations into multiple universities, including Columbia University and UC Berkeley, over allegations of antisemitism. While addressing discrimination is essential, there are concerns that these investigations may suppress legitimate academic discourse and criticism of governmental policies, thereby undermining academic freedom. 
• PRESSURE ON UNIVERSITIES TO POLICE SPEECH: The DoE’s approach pressures universities to act as enforcers of federal political priorities rather than protectors of open discourse. Columbia University has already complied by establishing an internal task force working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), raising concerns about surveillance, retaliation, and the targeting of students and faculty who express dissenting views. Universities must not become instruments of government-led suppression.
• CONFLATION OF POLITICAL CRITICISM WITH DISCRIMINATION: There is a growing concern that legitimate criticism of a nation’s policies—particularly regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict—is being conflated with antisemitism. This conflation risks labeling valid political discourse as discriminatory, thereby stifling free speech and open debate on campus.
• IMPACT ON INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND FACULTY: The involvement of agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in these investigations raises alarms about the potential targeting of international students and faculty. For instance, the detention of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident, by ICE highlights the precarious position of foreign-born academics and students who engage in political activism.
• PRECEDENT FOR SUPPRESSING CAMPUS ACTIVISM: The current actions by the DoE may set a precedent for suppressing various forms of campus activism. If universities yield to pressure in this context, it could lead to broader restrictions on student-led movements advocating for issues such as racial justice, environmental policies, and human rights, thereby eroding the culture of free expression in higher education.

OUR DEMANDS
We urge university leadership to take the following actions:

1. PUBLICLY COMMIT TO PROTECTING FREE SPEECH: Issue a clear statement affirming that students and faculty have the right to express political opinions without fear of retaliation or surveillance.
2. REFUSE TO COOPERATE WITH UNJUST INVESTIGATIONS: Do not create internal task forces or engage in punitive actions against students and faculty based solely on political expression.
3. PROTECT INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS & FACULTY: Ensure that foreign-born students and faculty members are not unfairly targeted, harassed, or reported to law enforcement agencies for political activism.
4. UPHOLD ACADEMIC FREEDOM: Ensure that faculty members can engage in scholarly work, discussions, and debates without facing institutional pressure to censor their views

TAKE ACTION NOW

Universities must not allow themselves to become instruments of government-led political suppression. If university leadership does not stand firm, the chilling effect on free speech will be felt not just on campuses, but across all sectors of civil society.

We, the undersigned, demand that our universities reject this unconstitutional crackdown and uphold their responsibility to foster open dialogue, free inquiry, and academic integrity.

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