Tension at Columbia University as Students Fear Arrest and Funding Cuts

A climate of uncertainty grips Columbia University as international students and faculty brace for the fallout of sweeping government actions.

Biliana, a law student from Latin America, is preparing for exams while grappling with the fear of immigration police targeting foreign students. Across campus, professors scramble to safeguard research funding that faces potential cuts under the current administration.

The White House has accused Columbia and other Ivy League institutions of promoting anti-Semitism and “woke” liberal ideology, intensifying the pressure. Hundreds of international students nationwide have reportedly had their visas threatened, with some even arrested—among them Columbia students linked to protests or minor infractions.

Many students now feel silenced, deleting past social media posts and avoiding public discourse. “You feel like you cannot say anything,” Biliana confesses, reflecting a deepening climate of anxiety.

As final exams loom, tensions reached a boiling point last week when 80 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested after attempting to seize Columbia’s main library. The university’s interim president swiftly condemned the demonstration, further dividing opinions on campus.

If you’d like me to adjust the tone or focus on another aspect of the situation, let me know!