UC Berkeley Shares Data on 160 Students, Faculty with US Government in Antisemitism Probe

The University of California, Berkeley has disclosed the names and information of approximately 160 students, faculty, and staff to the Trump administration as part of a federal investigation into alleged antisemitic incidents on campus. This move was made in response to a request from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and is part of broader government scrutiny of universities following pro-Palestinian protests that the administration claims allowed antisemitism. UC Berkeley and the UC Office of the President emphasized their commitment to protecting privacy while complying with legal obligations, noting that federal and state agencies routinely request such documents. The Trump administration has threatened to cut federal funding to institutions it accuses of tolerating antisemitism, raising concerns among experts about potential infringements on free speech, due process, and academic freedom. Pro-Palestinian protesters, including some Jewish groups, argue that their criticism of Israeli policies and advocacy for Palestinian rights are being wrongly labeled as antisemitism, and rights advocates have also highlighted a rise in Islamophobia without equivalent investigations into it. The situation has sparked debate over government overreach and the balance between combating antisemitism and protecting civil liberties on campuses.