The Trump administration’s demand for the University of Pennsylvania to disclose the personal information of Jewish faculty, staff, and students has sparked widespread backlash and concern among the academic community. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has sued the university, claiming the move is necessary to combat anti-Semitism, but critics argue it could lead to the persecution of Jewish individuals.
The request has united a diverse array of organisations, from Hillel and Meor to the American Association of University Professors and the American Jewish Committee, in opposition to the EEOC’s lawsuit. They fear that compiling such a list, regardless of the stated intent, could have ominous implications, echoing historical examples of governments using census data to target Jewish communities.
Sigal Ben-Porath, Serena Mayeri, and Amanda Shanor, members of the University of Pennsylvania faculty, have voiced their concerns in a powerful op-ed. They argue that the demand is particularly troubling given the Trump administration’s broader assault on universities, free speech, and vulnerable communities. The authors, who have family members who escaped or perished under authoritarian regimes that persecuted Jews, warn that even if the data is collected in good faith, it could be leaked or deployed for more sinister purposes.
The authors emphasise that the government’s request goes beyond universities, as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act could allow the EEOC to demand similar lists from virtually any employer. They caution that this could enable the surveillance, harassment, and punishment of individuals and groups deemed “enemies of the state.”
In the face of rising anti-Semitism and the Trump administration’s disregard for data privacy, the authors urge the public to resist the government’s demands to protect the rights and freedoms of all, regardless of their race, religion, national origin, or ideology. The controversy serves as a stark reminder of the need to remain vigilant against the misuse of power and the erosion of civil liberties.
