Biden Administration Continues Effort to Address Anti-Semitism on Campus

Due to the dramatic increase in reports of unrest on college campuses in the wake of Hamas’s attack on Israel, the Biden Administration is accelerating its efforts to address anti-Semitism.

Specifically, the Department of Education updated its discrimination complaint form to reflect the agency’s view that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin in federally funded programs or activities, may also bar anti-Semitism and Islamophobia under certain circumstances. The Departments of Justice and Homeland Security will also partner with campus law enforcement to track and respond to hate-related incidents.

These initiatives build upon previous Administration efforts to address anti-Semitism on campus. In 2022, the Department of Education announced that it intends to publish proposed rules addressing discrimination based on national origin under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, including discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics or citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity.

Although delayed, the proposed Title VI rules are slated to be published in December. Meanwhile, the Department issued guidance in both January and May reminding colleges and universities of their legal obligations under Title VI, including circumstances in which Title VI may prohibit discrimination based on race, color, or national origin against students of any religion, such as students who are Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, or Buddhist.

The Department also launched a new campaign to raise awareness about anti-Semitism in May.

For more information, please contact:
Jody Feder