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 judge noted that while the federal government likely has the authority to collect the data, the rollout was performed in a 'rushed' and chaotic manner.
President Donald Trump ordered the data collection in August, expressing concerns that colleges were considering race through personal statements and other means, which he perceives as illegal discrimination.
In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against the use of affirmative action in college admissions, but mentioned that schools could still consider how race informs student experiences if applicants choose to include that in their essays.
The states claim that the data collection risks invading student privacy and invites unnecessary investigations into colleges without providing sufficient time for data gathering.
'The data has been sought in such a hasty and irresponsible way that it will create problems for universities,' stated Michelle Pascucci, a lawyer for the plaintiffs. Conversely, the Education Department defended its actions, asserting the necessity of transparency regarding taxpayer money.
With this ruling, the fate of the data collection initiative remains uncertain, as the issue brings forth serious questions about privacy, transparency, and the integrity of college admissions practices.
