Palestinian student activism has made a strong comeback on university campuses.
This month, students occupied the Butler Library at Columbia University during exam week. The university seemed to devote more time to calling the NYPD for help than addressing the situation directly, which led to about 80 arrests among those who refused to leave. There were injuries on both sides—two security officers and several protesters.
Meanwhile, at Brooklyn College, things escalated as demonstrators gathered outside the Tanger Hillel House, trying to set up tents while chanting anti-Israel slogans. The university responded yet again by summoning the police, resulting in multiple arrests.
Some institutions appear to be genuinely concerned about the environment affecting Jewish students, but it’s hard to say the same about the efforts of the Trump administration.
President Trump has been waging what some see as a misguided war on higher education funding, intensifying the conflict with students, particularly those on student visas. This ties into ongoing issues with visa cancellations, arresting and deporting international students under laws that often deem them illegal. Many find themselves at risk of deportation over minor violations.
There’s palpable frustration among students regarding the inaction from university administrators against social unrest. While some feel reassured by federal action, Trump’s approach, especially concerning deportations, often looks erratic and lacks real solutions, ultimately harming higher education.
A national security expert who has worked at the FBI points out that Trump’s policy changes overlook the deeper issues, including foreign influences and NGOs that have been fostering anti-Semitic sentiments on campuses. These organizations stoke protests and spread materials that, some argue, normalize terrorist affiliations, creating a toxic atmosphere for Jewish students. If trends continue unchecked, random deportations might worsen these problems.
As courts challenge the administration’s detention of students, there have been instances, like that of Tufts Student Rumeysa Ozturk, where judges have ruled that her detention violated constitutional rights. Others, like Moshen Mahdawi and activist Mahmoud Khalil, faced similar fates but were released after legal challenges.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed that such students foster a “hostile environment for American Jewish students,” suggesting that these deportations might undermine foreign policy goals. If Rubio genuinely cares about these issues, he should push for comprehensive investigations rather than taking a simplistic approach to deportation.
Effective counter-terrorism should hinge on thorough, evidence-based investigations to lead to real prosecutions, not random deportations that fail to provide meaningful insights or detection of threats.
Moreover, since 9/11, complex national security investigations have proven essential for keeping the nation safe. Rushed deportations risk hindering such efforts, making it more difficult to gather information on potential conspirators.
Another significant flaw in the current administration’s approach is its focus on foreign students. Many of the individuals supporting terrorist causes and promoting anti-Semitic sentiments on campus are American. For instance, of the around 80 students arrested at Columbia for occupying the library, several were said to be Americans involved in prior protests.
Consequently, deporting foreign students can galvanize domestic support against these actions, leading to nationwide protests for those facing removal. Historically, universities have struggled to impose disciplinary measures against students engaging in behavior that violates the rights of Jewish community members, failing to address harassment effectively.
In this light, the Trump administration’s strategy appears to lack a sound basis in accountability and seems to threaten open discourse on campus. As the growing resistance from judges indicates, this approach is not proving effective. A more balanced strategy that acknowledges individual rights and accountability could be more successful in combating anti-Semitism and promoting a safer academic environment.
