State Lawyers Block Trump‑Era College Data Push

Federal Judge Halts Trump‑Era Education Dept. Data Demand on Public Universities

A federal judge in Boston has blocked the Department of Education from requiring race and gender data from public universities in 17 states. The order was filed by Democratic attorneys general who opposed a new survey that would have forced schools to disclose detailed admissions records. The survey aimed to verify whether universities still use race in their decisions—a practice the Supreme Court struck down last year.

• Legal Basis vs. Rushed Implementation
  The judge acknowledged that the Department has authority to request such information but criticized its hurried rollout without proper consultation. The haste could lead to errors that expose schools to fines or investigations.

• Staff Cuts Complicate Compliance
  The Department has reduced staff numbers, making it difficult to conduct the surveys accurately.

• State Concerns
  New York, California, and Massachusetts argued that the rapid implementation would force colleges to scramble for sensitive data they preferred not to share. They contended that the Department’s approach was arbitrary and unlawful. The New York attorney general praised the ruling, asserting that schools should not juggle years of private information for an unnecessary demand.

• Department’s Rationale
  Created under President Trump, the Department sought to determine whether race remained a factor in admissions due to suspected hidden racial cues. The judge noted the plan lacked careful development and university input, complicating survey management.

• Temporary Relief and Next Steps
  The judge issued temporary orders pausing the data request until schools’ deadlines. He is now deciding whether to extend these orders to other public and private universities. The Department has not yet responded to comment requests.

This case underscores the tension between state officials protecting colleges from abrupt data demands and the federal government’s efforts to monitor admissions practices following a Supreme Court ruling.