Thousands of pro-Palestine students were arrested on US campuses amid a campaign of censorship and retaliation, according to a report by the ACLU and Amnesty International USA.

Examining 80 universities in 28 states and DC, the report found that schools and police violated free speech and assembly rights using unlawful force that left some peaceful protesters with broken bones and teeth.

The repression escalated under Donald Trump, who weaponized federal funds and immigration powers. After Trump threatened a $400M funding cut to Columbia University in March 2025, Columbia added 36 arresting officers and suspended, expelled, or revoked degrees for over 70 students. Non-US citizens faced ideological deportation policies targeting criticism of Israel.