In Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern University has announced that as many as 16 students risk losing their enrollment status at midnight due to their refusal to engage in mandatory training. A federal judge has declined to halt this action.

The students, alongside their legal representatives and supporters, emerged from court with determination, despite their disappointment.

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“We stand firm in our convictions, believe in our clients, and are confident that our claims are valid. We trust the courts will ultimately agree,” stated attorney Maria Nieves Bolaños.

This group of students is taking legal action against Northwestern University, claiming that the institution’s anti-bias training and guidelines suppress expressions of Palestinian identity by labeling criticism of Israel as antisemitic.

Attorney Rima Kapitan remarked, “At Northwestern, certain national origins are allowed to be expressed, while others are not. This policy restricts a particular form of national origin expression.”

The university says at least 16 students have refused the training and now face the loss of their student status at midnight. The plaintiffs sought a temporary restraining order in federal court, but a judge denied that request, finding Northwestern did not engage in discrimination.

In fact, the school’s attorneys argued that the training is meant to prevent discrimination and harassment and cited a quote from the training that states “it is not antisemitic to criticize the policies, practices or members of the Israeli government.”

The lawsuit comes as the Trump administration has frozen nearly $800 million in federal funding to Northwestern over alleged civil rights violations related to the school’s handling of pro-Palestinian encampments in April 2024.

“Rather than stand up for the core mission of higher education, Northwestern has bent its knee to the Trump administration,” said Jonah Rubin with Jewish Voices for Peace.

Northwestern declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying it does not speak about pending litigation.