The University of North Carolina’s Faculty Assembly advanced a proposed definition of academic freedom that explicitly states ‘‘academic freedom is not absolute,’’ a move that drew objection from the state AAUP chapter and reignited debate over campus speech limits. The draft will go before the system board as institutions reassess protections amid political pressure and safety considerations. Concurrently, federal documents unsealed in litigation show the State Department and enforcement agencies had flagged foreign students for speech linked to Gaza protests, prompting concerns about academic voice and visa vulnerabilities. Legal scholars warn targeting speech through immigration enforcement risks chilling dissent and undermines classroom debate. Institutional leaders must balance campus safety, civil liberties and compliance with federal directives; both matters highlight growing friction over how universities define and defend academic expression in politically charged contexts.