Justice Department Sues Harvard Over Admissions Data

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, accusing it of unlawfully withholding admissions data crucial for determining continued discrimination. This action follows the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College.

On February 13, the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division initiated legal action against Harvard University. The lawsuit alleges Harvard is unlawfully withholding admissions data required to determine if the university continues to discriminate in its admissions process. This legal move comes in the wake of the Supreme Court's landmark 2023 ruling.

DOJ Sets Higher Expectations

Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that the Department of Justice is setting higher expectations for the nation’s educational institutions under President Trump’s leadership. She added that Harvard has not disclosed the necessary data to ensure its admissions are free of discrimination.

The Department will continue to prioritize merit over Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) across America.

Civil Rights Division Demands Compliance

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division emphasized that the department will not allow universities to disregard federal civil rights laws by refusing to provide information required for review. Dhillon stressed that providing requested data is a basic expectation of any credible compliance process, and a refusal to cooperate raises concerns about university practices.

"Providing requested data is a basic expectation of any credible compliance process, and a refusal to cooperate raises concerns about university practices."

She further stated that if Harvard has ceased discriminatory practices, it should readily provide the necessary data.

Allegations of Non-Compliance and Breach of Terms

The lawsuit alleges that Harvard, a recipient of DOJ funding, repeatedly delayed the production of pertinent data and documents requested by the DOJ. These requests included individualized applicant admissions data, admissions policies, and correspondence related to race, ethnicity, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and Students for Fair Admissions.

The suit claims Harvard violated Title VI by failing to comply with the DOJ’s request for sufficient document production for compliance review. It also states that by failing to make timely and complete document productions or otherwise permitting the DOJ to access Harvard’s applicant-level admissions data, Harvard allegedly breached a material term of DOJ federal financial assistance.

Scope of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit seeks only to compel Harvard to produce documents related to any consideration of race in admissions. Crucially, it does not accuse Harvard of racial discrimination in its admissions practices itself.