HHS’ Civil Rights Office Acts Swiftly to Combat Anti-Semitism

OCR Opens Compliance Reviews of Four Medical Schools over Protests Taking Place during Their 2024 Commencement Ceremonies

In alignment with President Trump’s Executive Order on Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism, and as part of the task force announced by the U.S. Department of Justice today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is announcing the initiation of compliance reviews for four medical schools following reports of antisemitic incidents during their 2024 commencement ceremonies. The investigations will examine whether the medical schools complied with their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act to not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

The reviews come in response to reported incidents of antisemitism and displays of offensive symbols and messaging during the ceremonies, including alleged expressions of support for terrorist organizations. These reports raise serious concerns about potential violations of civil rights laws that protect students from discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.

“Every student deserves access to educational opportunities free from discrimination and harassment,” said Anthony Archeval, Acting Director of the Office for Civil Rights at HHS. “These compliance reviews reflect our commitment to ensuring that institutions receiving federal funding maintain learning environments that are safe and non-discriminatory for all students.”

As recipients of federal financial assistance, the medical schools are required to comply with federal civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination. For fiscal year 2024, at least one of these schools received over $300 million in federal funding. The review will specifically examine whether the institutions acted with deliberate indifference regarding events that may have impacted Jewish students’ rights to access educational opportunities and benefits.

The Office for Civil Rights remains committed to vigorous enforcement of civil rights laws and to ensuring that all covered health care entities maintain environments free from discrimination and harassment.

If you believe that you or someone else has been discriminated against because of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, or religion in programs or activities that HHS directly operates or to which HHS provides federal financial assistance, you may file a complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights at: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html

About HHS OCR: The Office for Civil Rights enforces federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in health and human services programs that receive federal funding. Visit www.hhs.gov/ocr for more information.