A federal civil enforcement action seeking the names of some Jewish employees at the University of Pennsylvania has prompted backlash and raised concerns about investigations into campus antisemitism and university compliance with subpoenas. The administration says the data are needed for investigative purposes, while civil-liberties advocates warn the demand risks chilling campus speech and confidentiality. Separately, the arrest of a postdoctoral researcher on smuggling charges has intensified congressional and public scrutiny of U.S. university ties to China, amplifying policy debates over international collaborations and visa screening. Both developments illustrate how national-security and civil-rights inquiries are converging on research institutions and complicating decisions about foreign students, partnerships and transparency. Provosts and research officers should inventory sponsored projects, export-control processes and researcher affiliations and be prepared to respond to subpoenas and heightened federal inquiries.