GW Weekly Federal Update (April 10)

A Message from President Granberg

Dear Members of the George Washington University Community,

In times like this where we are experiencing heightened levels of change and uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to stay as informed as possible and to reaffirm who we are as a community.

To that end, we hope this weekly Federal Update provides helpful context as we navigate challenges and seek opportunities to lean into our university’s strengths: our community, our resilience, and our sense of responsibility to each other. At GW, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting one another, upholding our shared values, and ensuring that every member of our university feels seen, heard, and valued.

Let’s continue to come together and stand strong as OneGW.

Warm regards,
Ellen

GW Updates

• In recent weeks, universities and news reports have documented cases of international students whose visas have been revoked or terminated by federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security.
  
  At GW, the university is aware of a small number of students whose visas were similarly terminated. We understand that these actions have caused anxiety and concern within our international community and we are here to help. The International Services Office (ISO) continues to assist affected students and provides immigration and safety information and other useful guidance to students and others on the ISO website. Tips include using extra caution, considering risks and consulting with ISO prior to international travel; carrying proof of immigration registration at all times; learning about the government’s collection of digital information; reviewing guidance on your rights from the American Immigration Lawyers Association and ACLU; and consulting with qualified external immigration counsel on any legal questions or concerns. 
  
  Students with questions should contact ISO directly.The university also provides guidance for GW staff in the event of an unannounced visit by immigration enforcement officials.
  
  GW encourages affected students and employees to take advantage of available mental health and wellness support services, including GW Counseling and Psychological Services for students and the Employee Assistance Program for faculty and staff. 
   
• Various schools and colleges at GW are providing tuition discounts for recently dismissed members of the federal workforce who are considering an advanced degree. Participating programs are within CCAS, CPS, GSEHD, GWSB, SON and Milken Institute SPH. More information is available online.

Federal Updates

• On April 9, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office (USCIS) announced that it would “begin considering aliens’ antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals” as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests, including aliens applying for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and aliens affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.
   
• On April 4, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a final judgment permanently enjoining, or prohibiting, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from reducing the indirect cost rate to 15 percent. On April 8, the Trump Administration filed a notice of appeal, which will be heard by the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
   
• This week, news reports stated the Trump Administration has now frozen $1 billion in funding to Cornell University and $790 million for Northwestern University over antisemitism and racial discrimination allegations. Also this week, according to various news reports, NIH froze all grant funding to Columbia University, adding $250 million in affected funding to the $400 million frozen earlier this month.
  
  Late last week, news outlets reported the Trump Administration was planning to pause $510 million in federal funding to Brown University over antisemitism concerns and DEI initiatives.
   
• On April 4, the Administration’s Joint Task Force on Antisemitism sent a letter to Harvard University identifying “several broad, non-exhaustive areas of reform that the government views as necessary for Harvard to implement to remain a responsible recipient of federal taxpayer dollars.” The letter directs Harvard to take “immediate steps” to maintain a “continued financial relationship” with the government, including but not limited to: reviewing academic programs and departments that “fuel antisemitic harassment” and making necessary changes to “address bias, improve viewpoint diversity, and end ideological capture;” consistently enforcing disciplinary policies with “senior administrative leaders” being responsible for final decisions; adopting a “comprehensive mask ban;” and being in “full cooperation” with the Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement.
   
• On April 7, the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, in a 7-4 decision, ordered that a member of the National Labor Relations Board and the Merit Systems Protection Board fired by the Trump Administration be reinstated pending appeal to the Supreme Court. On April 9, the Administration requested Supreme Court review and in a brief order, Chief Justice John Roberts allowed the Administration to remove both members temporarily while the Supreme Court considers the case.  
   
• On April 4, the U.S. Department of Education and Justice Department announced the formation of a “Title IX Special Investigations Team” to expedite investigation of Title IX complaints that have traditionally been investigated by the Office for Civil Rights. The Special Investigations Team’s primary focus is to “protect students, and especially female athletes, from the pernicious effects of gender ideology in school programs and activities.”
   
• In a separate case related to the NIH, on April 4, 16 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the Trump Administration challenging the Administration’s withholding and termination of NIH grant funding. Argument on the plaintiffs’ motion for a TRO is scheduled for April 15.
   
• On April 3, 10 former Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program commissioners and legal counsel issued a memorandum recognizing the importance of having a diverse and inclusive workforce and emphasizing that employers “lawfully may—and indeed should—take proactive steps to identify barriers that have limited the opportunities of applicants and employees based on any protected characteristic.” The authors argue that, properly constructed, DEI programs relating to anti-discrimination and harassment training, employer resource or affinity groups, casting a wide recruitment net, and data collection designed to identify or prevent potential unlawful discrimination would not violate federal antidiscrimination laws.
   
• On April 2, four members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Ways and Means introduced the Tax-Free Pell Grant Act. Currently, the portion of Pell Grants used for non-tuition expenses like room and board is taxed as unearned income. The bill would also make it easier for Pell Grant recipients to get the full benefit of the American Opportunity Tax Credit. Several higher education associations have endorsed the bill. 
   
• Last month, the Senate unanimously passed a bill to reverse budget impacts made in the Continuing Resolution that would require D.C. to return to fiscal 2024 spending levels by cutting $1 billion in city services within five months. Shortly after, President Trump called on the House to “immediately” pass the Senate’s fix. However, almost a month later, D.C.’s financial landscape remains in limbo as there is no word from House GOP leadership on when legislation allowing the city’s 2025 budget to remain intact will be up for a vote. This week’s House schedule does not include a vote on the bill, meaning the earliest the House would vote is when members return from recess the week of April 28. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who normally would have presented her fiscal 2026 budget by now, has said she will not do so until the city has clarity on the fate of its current budget.
   
• On March 28, NIH rescinded its Scientific Integrity Policy intended to protect research from political interference to “ensure alignment with the Administration’s priorities.” News reports attribute the NIH’s action to references in the Policy to a commitment that “diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) are integral components of the entire scientific process.” Instead, NIH will adhere to the Department of Health and Human Services policy on scientific integrity, which contains no similar DEIA language.

Resources and Reminders

About this Newsletter

To ensure that students, faculty and staff feel supported and informed about how federal developments affect higher education and GW, the university launched a weekly Federal Update. This newsletter shares timely information, addresses questions and provides resources.