CONTACT INFORMATION:
comms@ncapaonline.org
[***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***]
RELEASE DATE
October 24, 2025
NCAPA issued this statement in response to the Trump Administration’s actions regarding university governance, targeted assaults on differing political perspectives, policies adversely affecting international students, and unprecedented politicization of higher education.
“We are deeply concerned by the Trump Administration’s coercive policies that threaten equity, access, and academic freedom in American institutions of higher education.
“President Trump recently introduced a federal “compact” for universities, which is a blatant abuse of power – rewarding political allegiance and punishing the longstanding independence of higher education. Under this scheme, universities that pledge loyalty to a partisan agenda would receive preferential funding and perks like White House invitations. In exchange, these schools would be forced to surrender autonomy in admissions, hiring, and campus governance.
“This so-called “compact,” which in reality is an ultimatum, would require Universities to limit international students, ensure faculty and staff fit the Administration’s ideological vision, and privilege “conservative ideas” or viewpoints otherwise favored by the administration on campus. These demands are coercive and egregious violations of the long-held principles of academic freedom, independent debate, and free speech on campuses, turning federal funding into a tool for ideological control.
“These actions by the Trump administration are a dangerous escalation in government interference in academic affairs, attempting to turn higher education into a partisan enterprise by silencing free speech, diversity of thought, and independent scientific inquiry. This comes at a time when about 6 in 10 AAPI adults are concerned about the restrictions to free speech on college campuses (57%) and federal government cuts to university research (56%). The Administration’s actions exacerbate these fears. For this reason, we applaud M.I.T.’s courage in being the first of nine universities to reject the “compact” for restricting free expression, and call on the remaining universities to protect students, faculty, and staff – and the principles of free speech and academic freedom.
“Adding to this assault, the Administration has imposed draconian measures targeting international students and professors, including a cap on international undergraduate enrollment. These restrictions jeopardize America’s leadership in research and development while discriminating against global talent. Coupled with proposals to tax universities and withdraw federal funding for non-compliance, the Administration will financially harm both institutions and their students. More than two-thirds of AAPI adults believe that the free exchange of different ideas should be a major purpose of college education. Most are opposed to proposals for cutting federal funding for campuses with DEI programs (65%) or arresting or deporting students involved with on-campus protests (62%); both actions that this Administration has undertaken.
“Together, these initiatives attempt to silence the diversity of voices, violate First Amendment rights, and undermine the integrity of our nation’s universities – historic bastions of independent thought. These attacks are part of a broader campaign by the Administration that endangers civil liberties and protections that protect long-standing academic inquiry. We condemn attempts to weaponize government power to silence diverse voices, undermine free speech, and reshape education to serve partisan interests.
“As members of the NCAPA Education Committee, we stand united and committed to defending the rights of the AANHPI communities, international students, and members of America’s higher education community who seek to learn and contribute to our country’s academic success without fear of political coercion or retaliation.”
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Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans is a coalition of 44 national Asian Pacific American organizations. We represent the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities and provide a national voice for our communities’ concerns.