Columbia University to Report Student Arrests Under Trump-Era Settlement

Columbia University has agreed to a sweeping settlement with the White House that includes more than just a $221 million financial penalty—it also comes with controversial new oversight responsibilities over its international student population. Under the agreement, Columbia will now report student arrests, including minor infractions like trespassing, to the federal government via the SEVIS tracking system. These new reporting duties—prompted in part by recent pro-Palestinian campus protests—are raising concerns about the university’s ability to maintain its long-standing commitment to intellectual freedom and its appeal to international applicants, who make up nearly 40% of the student body. Critics warn the policy could have a chilling effect on global enrollment at Columbia and other U.S. institutions if similar deals follow.