Judge blocks Trump bid to require colleges to prove race not considered in admissions

April 5, 2026 - 02:08

A federal judge in Massachusetts has issued a preliminary injunction, blocking a Trump administration initiative that sought to compel public colleges and universities to prove they do not consider race in their admissions processes. The order halts a requirement for institutions across 17 states to submit extensive data on how race and ethnicity factor into student admissions.

The legal challenge was brought by a coalition of state attorneys general, who argued the administration's demand was an overreach and posed a significant burden on the schools. They contended the move was a politically motivated effort to discourage the use of race-conscious admissions policies, which remain legal under current Supreme Court precedent when used to promote campus diversity.

In her ruling, the judge found the plaintiffs demonstrated a likelihood of success on their claims that the administration's action was arbitrary and capricious. The decision represents a significant setback for the administration's broader goal of challenging affirmative action practices in higher education. The injunction will remain in place pending further legal proceedings, allowing colleges to continue their current admissions practices without the immediate threat of federal investigation or the resource-intensive task of compiling the disputed data. The case continues to highlight the deep national divide over the role of race in university admissions.