The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued the preliminary injunction blocking the Education Department's sweeping data collection mandate targeting colleges and universities. The order exempts state colleges and universities from the federal demand while the underlying lawsuit proceeds, providing temporary relief to institutions that argued the requirements were burdensome and unlawful.
James and 16 other attorneys general filed suit last month challenging what they characterized as an arbitrary federal mandate aimed at undermining diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. "Students should not have to live in fear that their personal data will be handed over to the federal government, just as schools should not have to scramble to produce years of sensitive information to satisfy an arbitrary and unlawful demand," James said in a statement.
The preliminary injunction provides immediate relief to public higher education institutions that would have been required to compile and submit extensive admissions data under the federal mandate. The court's order protects these institutions from having to comply with the data collection requirements while the coalition's legal challenge moves through the federal courts.
The lawsuit represents the latest clash between state attorneys general and federal education policy, with James framing the data collection mandate as part of what she called "this administration's crusade against DEI." The case highlights ongoing tensions over federal oversight of higher education and diversity programs at public colleges and universities.
"I am grateful the court acted swiftly to protect our public institutions while our case moves forward, and we will continue fighting to block this mandate for good," James said, signaling the coalition's intent to pursue a permanent injunction against the federal requirements.
The preliminary injunction provides temporary protection while the court considers the merits of the attorneys general's challenge. The case could have significant implications for federal education policy and the extent of the Education Department's authority to demand sensitive institutional data from state-funded colleges and universities.