Commission chair warns of federal moves he says threaten civil-rights enforcement and academic freedom

In a wide-ranging statement to the commission, Chair Brian Levin criticized recent federal actions that he said have reduced civil-rights enforcement capacity and risk using older statutes in ways that threaten civil liberties and academic freedom. Levin invoked the Alien Enemies Act and a 1950s immigration provision as examples of laws the federal government is using, in his view, to detain or deport people without clear wartime or national-security conditions.

"This cannot stand," Levin said, arguing the government should not use antiquated wartime statutes to justify deportations or to chill speech. He said he shares concerns expressed by legal scholars and university leaders about investigations and notices sent to colleges and universities and about targeting academics or students for political speech.

Levin said the commission will add civil-rights and civil-liberties items to future agendas to respond to complaints and to provide public oversight, and he called on commissioners to stand for constitutional protections even as they seek to protect communities from hate and harassment.

Commissioners and public commenters supported the statement and discussed how the commission could frame follow-up items, including requests for investigations or hearings on specific local incidents and systemic patterns that may implicate civil liberties while also protecting victims.

No formal action was taken; the chair requested staff to place civil-rights/civil-liberties items on future agendas for commissioner consideration.