A federal judge has blocked a Trump administration effort to gather data assessing whether colleges consider race in admissions. The ruling, issued Friday by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV in Boston, grants a preliminary injunction following a lawsuit filed last month by a coalition of 17 Democratic state attorneys general.

Lawsuit Challenges Data Collection Process

Judge Saylor acknowledged the federal government’s authority to collect such data but strongly criticized the implementation. He described the rollout to universities as “rushed and chaotic.”

Impractical Deadlines and Limited Engagement

The judge highlighted the impracticality of the 120-day deadline imposed by the administration. This timeframe, he stated, prevented the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) from adequately engaging with universities during the notice-and-comment process. This limited the ability of universities to comply and participate in constructive dialogue.

Origins of the Data Collection Mandate

The data collection mandate originated from directives issued by President Donald Trump in August. These directives stemmed from concerns that colleges and universities might be indirectly considering race in admissions through factors like personal statements, which he considered illegal discrimination.

This order followed a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that prohibited explicit affirmative action in college admissions. However, the court clarified that universities could still consider how race had impacted an applicant’s life if the applicant voluntarily shared this information.

Concerns Over Privacy and Investigations

The states involved in the lawsuit expressed concerns that the data collection could violate student privacy and potentially lead to unwarranted investigations of colleges and universities. They also argued that universities lacked sufficient time to gather and submit accurate data.

Plaintiffs' Argument

Michelle Pascucci, lead lawyer for the plaintiffs, told the court that the “data has been sought in such a hasty and irresponsible way that it will create problems for universities,” suggesting the effort was aimed at uncovering unlawful practices.

Department of Education Defends Data Collection

The Department of Education defended the data collection, asserting that taxpayers have a right to transparency regarding the use of federal funds by institutions receiving them. They pointed to previous settlement agreements with Brown University and Columbia University.

These agreements involved the restoration of federal research funding in exchange for providing data on applicants’ race, GPA, and test scores, along with government audits and public release of admissions statistics.

Data Requirements and Potential Penalties

The National Center for Education Statistics was tasked with collecting the data, which included the race and sex of applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students. Education Secretary Linda McMahon initially set a deadline of March 18 for the data, requiring it to be disaggregated by race and sex and covering the preceding seven years.

Colleges and universities failing to submit accurate and complete data faced potential repercussions under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, potentially impacting their eligibility for federal financial aid.