Federal judge blocks Trump push to collect race-based admissions data

U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV granted a preliminary injunction Friday, temporarily barring the Trump administration from forcing public colleges in 17 Democrat-led states to submit detailed admissions data meant to prove they are not unconstitutional considering race.

Saylor did admit the federal government likely can seek such information in "identifying potential problems" and "patterns of discrimination" but the executive order's 120-day deadline was "rushed and chaotic" and "epitomizes arbitrary and capricious agency action."

A coalition of 17 Democratic state attorneys general sued, arguing the new reporting regime would invade student privacy, burden universities and trigger unwarranted federal investigations.

"Plaintiffs have established, based on the record before the Court, that they are likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the agency action was 'arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and not otherwise in accordance with the law,'" Saylor concluded. "Furthermore, and notwithstanding the contention of the government, plaintiffs have established that immediate irreparable harm will result if the injunction does not issue. And they have likewise established that the balance of equities and the public interest favor preliminary injunctive relief. Accordingly, the motion for a preliminary injunction will be granted."

The administration argued the data collection is needed to ensure colleges are complying with the Supreme Court's 2023 decision ending affirmative action in admissions, while still allowing applicants to discuss how race affected their lives in essays.

"Race-based admissions practices are not only unfair, but also threaten our national security and well-being," Trump's order read. "It is therefore the policy of my Administration to ensure institutions of higher education receiving Federal financial assistance are transparent in their admissions practices."

Under the policy, colleges were told to provide admissions data broken down by race and sex and to report it retroactively for seven years, with possible penalties for schools that failed to comply.

The administration's policy echoes settlement agreements the government negotiated with Brown University and Columbia University, restoring their federal research money. The universities agreed to give the government data on the race, grade-point average and standardized test scores of applicants, admitted students and enrolled students. The schools also agreed to be audited by the government and to release admissions statistics to the public.

If colleges fail to submit timely, complete and accurate data, the administration has said McMahon can take action under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which outlines requirements for colleges receiving federal financial aid for students.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.