Biden-Nominated Federal Judge Tosses DOJ Lawsuit Demanding Harvard Admissions Data

Biden-nominated U.S. District Judge Myong J. Joun in Boston rejected the Department of Justice's case after finding the government had not completed the legally required steps to secure voluntary compliance before suing. The decision rested on those narrow procedural grounds and did not resolve whether Harvard must ultimately provide the data.
The ruling leaves open the possibility that the Justice and Education departments could still seek applicant-level information if they correct the procedural deficiencies. The case was dismissed without prejudice.
"A deadline and a threat to sue, standing alone, do not necessarily demonstrate compliance with the regulatory voluntary-compliance process where the agency seeks to enforce disputed demands for extensive information," Joun wrote.
The Justice Department had sought years of applicant-level data to test whether Harvard continues to consider race after the Supreme Court's 2023 decision ending race-based admissions. Harvard contends the suit forms part of a broader campaign by the administration against the Ivy League school.
The Justice Department sued Harvard on Feb. 13, accusing the university of withholding admissions data needed to check whether it is still engaging in discriminatory practices.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, alleged that Harvard was "not complying with a federal investigation," that it has a "recent history of racial discrimination," and that it is "continuing to discriminate in its admissions process."