BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge on Friday halted efforts by the Trump administration to collect data that proves higher education institutions aren’t considering race in admissions.
The ruling from U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV in Boston granting the preliminary injunction follows a lawsuit filed earlier this month by a coalition of 17 Democratic state attorneys general. It will only apply to public universities in plaintiffs.
The federal judge stated that the federal government likely has the authority to collect the data, but the demand was rolled out to universities in a rushed and chaotic manner.
“The 120-day deadline imposed by the President led directly to the failure of NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) to engage meaningfully with the institutions during the notice-and-comment process to address the multitude of problems presented by the new requirements,” Saylor wrote.
President Donald Trump ordered the data collection in August after he raised concerns that colleges and universities were using personal statements and other proxies to consider race, which he views as illegal discrimination.
In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against the use of affirmative action in admissions but said colleges could still consider how race has shaped students’ lives if applicants share that information in their admissions essays.
The states argued that the data collection risks invading student privacy and leading to baseless investigations of colleges and universities. They also claimed that universities have not been given enough time to collect the data.
“The data has been sought in such a hasty and irresponsible way that it will create problems for universities,” a lawyer for the plaintiffs, Michelle Pascucci, told the court, adding that the effort seemed aimed at uncovering unlawful practices.
The Education Department, however, defended the need for transparency regarding how federal funds are utilized by these institutions.
The administration's policy aligns with agreements previously made with distinguished institutions like Brown University and Columbia University, which involved delivering data on race, GPA, and standardized test scores of applicants. The collected data includes comprehensive records of applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students.
If colleges fail to comply with data submission deadlines, the administration has indicated that it would take action under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which sets conditions for colleges receiving federal financial aid for students.
The Trump administration also initiated legal actions against Harvard University for failing to provide admissions records, asserting the need to ensure the institution halts its affirmative action practices. Harvard maintains it is in compliance with the Supreme Court's ruling against affirmative action and is cooperating with federal requests.
