On July 31, 2025, a significant development unfolded as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a formal notice to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), claiming that the institution had breached civil rights laws. This announcement coincided with UCLA’s recent settlement of $6.45 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by Jewish students, who alleged experiences of antisemitism on campus.
The DOJ’s notice indicated that UCLA’s handling of a protest encampment during the spring of 2024 demonstrated a troubling indifference towards the hostile environment faced by Jewish and Israeli students, which is in direct violation of the Equal Protection Clause and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Furthermore, the DOJ has initiated an ongoing investigation into the broader University of California system.
Interestingly, the DOJ’s communication did not reference the recent settlement. UCLA has allocated the settlement funds among the plaintiffs and various Jewish advocacy organizations. The terms of the settlement explicitly prohibit the university from excluding Jewish students or staff from educational opportunities based on their religious beliefs regarding Israel. This stipulation arose from claims by Jewish student plaintiffs who reported being obstructed by pro-Palestinian protesters from accessing certain areas of the campus.
According to the federal notice, UCLA is required to reach out to the DOJ by August 5 to discuss a voluntary resolution agreement aimed at eliminating the hostile environment and implementing measures to prevent its recurrence. DOJ officials have indicated their readiness to file a complaint in federal district court by September 2 if a satisfactory agreement is not reached.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi expressed serious concerns regarding the findings of the investigation, stating, “Our inquiry into the University of California system has uncovered alarming evidence of systemic antisemitism at UCLA, which necessitates significant accountability from the institution.” She emphasized that this violation of civil rights against students is unacceptable and that the DOJ is committed to ensuring that UCLA faces consequences for endangering Jewish Americans while continuing investigations into other campuses within the UC system.