Trump’s antisemitism order leaves US colleges uncertain and bracing for crackdown

College campuses embroiled in allegations of antisemitism are bracing for a crackdown by the Trump administration.

College campuses embroiled in allegations of antisemitism are bracing for a possible crackdown by the Trump administration, but uncertainty looms. President Donald Trump signed an executive order during his second week in office promising to “combat antisemitism” on college campuses – by potentially revoking visas and directing universities to “monitor” and “report” on international students and staff. But experts question both the legality of the order and the logistics of enforcement, leaving administrators, staff and students unclear about what it will mean for them. Lee Bollinger, president emeritus of Columbia University, told CNN that he supports a heightened focus on combating antisemitism, though he is concerned about the Trump administration’s approach. “I do believe universities are trying as hard as they can to find a balance between protecting free speech and protecting students, especially Jewish students, against discrimination and harassment,” said Bollinger, who remains a professor at Columbia Law School. “When you have an executive order that appears to be ready to intrude into university campuses with the power of the government on issues around speech and discrimination, I am worried,” he said.