A federal judge in Boston has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s push to collect detailed admissions data from universities to verify compliance with a ban on admissions based on race, the Associated Press (AP) reported. The decision comes amid a broader legal battle over how the federal government implements the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling that ended affirmative action.
Court flags procedural flaws in data demand.
U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Sellers IV granted the preliminary injunction Friday, siding with a coalition of 17 Democratic state attorneys general, the AP reported. This order applies to public universities in the petitioner states.While acknowledging that the federal government potentially has the power to request such data, the court found its implementation deeply flawed. Judge Siler noted that the administration’s imposition of a 120-day deadline resulted in a “rush and chaos,” preventing meaningful consultation with institutions.The order also criticized the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for failing to adequately involve universities during the notice-and-comment process, raising concerns about procedural flaws.
States cite privacy risks and compliance burdens.
The lawsuit argued that the data collection effort could compromise student privacy and expose institutions to unnecessary federal scrutiny. States also claimed that universities were not given enough time to compile and report the extensive datasets required.Citing the court proceedings, the AP noted that plaintiffs’ counsel argued that the directive was aimed at uncovering violations rather than ensuring compliance, warning that it would create operational challenges for institutions.
Policy related to enforcement of affirmative action
The order to collect the data stems from President Donald Trump’s directive in August, which was issued after concerns that universities were using indirect methods—such as personal essays—to influence the race for admissions decisions.As reported by the AP, this follows a 2023 Supreme Court decision that banned explicit use of race in admissions while allowing applicants to discuss how race has affected their experiences.Under the policy, colleges were required to collect data on applicants, admitted students and enrollees separately by race and gender, with seven years of retrospective reporting. Noncompliance can trigger penalties under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, potentially affecting access to federal student aid.
Widespread pressure on elite institutions
The administration has defended the move as necessary for transparency in federally funded institutions. According to the AP, similar data-sharing requirements were part of agreements reached with Brown University and Columbia University, allowing them to restore federal research funding in exchange for disclosures and audits.In a parallel development, the administration has sued Harvard University over similar data demands. Federal officials have warned that the university could face legal consequences if it fails to comply within the specified timeline.
