No details were released about the specific incidents on campuses that the department is investigating. But some of the probes were prompted by complaints from Jewish advocacy groups, including the Brandeis Center.

All schools that receive federal funds must comply with Title VI, a federal law that bars discrimination based on shared ancestry, ethnic characteristics or national origin. Schools who violate the law could be at risk of losing their federal funding if they do not comply. Along with the Thursday night announcement, agency officials also cautioned that just because a school is under investigation does not mean they have broken the law.

Still, Cardona on Friday was stern about schools’ responsibilities to protect students from discrimination. He also said he anticipates more investigations to be launched into incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia in schools.

“It’s our responsibility to protect them and we’re doing everything in our power to enforce that,” Cardona said. “And if we see that there are places that are not doing it, we’re gonna open up an investigation. We’re gonna provide support, but we’re gonna open up an investigation to make sure that we’re doing our job as educators.”

The secretary urged colleges to be “open and honest” with students and their families about what is happening on their campuses, and they should allow students to express themselves freely on campus. He also said the department is willing to work with the schools on compliance and have a number of resources available to them.

“When students can’t feel safe walking from their dorm, to their classroom, because they’re afraid that they’re gonna get harmed, that’s unacceptable,” Cardona said. “We must protect students at all costs.”

The Education Department on Thursday said it would continue updating its list of investigations weekly on the website for its Office for Civil Rights.