Judge halts Trump effort requiring colleges to show they don't consider race in admissions

National Judge halts Trump effort requiring colleges to show they don't consider race in admissions April 4, 20261:13 PM ET By  The Associated Press President Donald Trump arrives to speak about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool) Alex Brandon/AP Pool hide caption toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Pool BOSTON — A federal judge has halted efforts by the Trump administration to collect data that proves higher education institutions aren't considering race in admissions. Consider This from NPR What's behind Trump's crackdown on universities — and why it matters The ruling from U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV in Boston on Friday 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 federal judge said the federal government likely has the authority to collect the data, but the demand was rolled out to universities in a "rushed and chaotic" manner. "The 120-day deadline imposed by the President led directly to the failure of NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) to engage meaningfully with the institutions during the notice-and-comment process to address the multitude of problems presented by the new requirements," Saylor wrote. Sponsor Message President Donald Trump ordered the data collection in August after he raised concerns that colleges and universities were using personal statements and other proxies to consider race, which he views as illegal discrimination. National Trump has sued universities for billions. Here's what the strategy tells us In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against the use of affirmative action in admissions but said colleges could still consider how race has shaped students' lives if applicants share that information in their admissions essays. The states argue the data collection risks invadi...