Judge blocks Trump-era college admissions policy

Ruling halts requirement for schools to prove they don't consider race in admissions decisions.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:49am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A federal judge in Boston has blocked a Trump administration policy that would have required colleges and universities to demonstrate they are not considering race as a factor in their admissions decisions. The ruling puts a halt to the controversial effort by the previous administration to restrict affirmative action in higher education.

Why it matters

The decision is a victory for advocates of affirmative action, who argue that considering race as one factor among many can help promote diversity and equal opportunity in higher education. Critics of the Trump-era policy claimed it would make it harder for underrepresented minority students to gain admission to selective colleges.

The details

The policy, announced in 2020, would have required all colleges and universities receiving federal funding to certify annually that they were not using race as a factor in admissions. Failure to comply could have resulted in the loss of federal aid. The judge ruled that the policy likely violated the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to provide adequate justification.

  • The Trump administration announced the policy in 2020.
  • The federal judge in Boston issued the ruling blocking the policy on April 5, 2026.

The players

Trump administration

The previous presidential administration that sought to restrict the consideration of race in college admissions.

Federal judge in Boston

The judge who issued the ruling halting the Trump-era policy requiring colleges to prove they don't use race in admissions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This ruling is an important victory for equal opportunity in higher education.”

— Kristen Clarke, President of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

What’s next

The Biden administration is expected to review the Trump-era policy and determine whether to appeal the judge's ruling or pursue alternative approaches to affirmative action in college admissions.

The takeaway

This court decision represents a setback for efforts to restrict the consideration of race in higher education admissions, an issue that has long been politically contentious. The ruling preserves the ability of colleges to use race as one factor among many in their admissions processes, which supporters say is crucial for promoting diversity and equal opportunity.