New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined a coalition of 17 states in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that new federal reporting requirements demanding detailed race-based admissions data from colleges exceed federal authority and threaten student privacy.
The lawsuit challenges a federal survey known as the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS), which the administration says is intended to ensure universities comply with restrictions on race-based admissions policies following the rollback of affirmative action.
James sharply criticized the policy in a statement posted on social media, accusing the administration of targeting universities for political reasons.
“My office is suing the Trump administration for targeting colleges and demanding they turn over sensitive student data to root out DEI initiatives,” James wrote. “I won’t let this administration stretch their authority to serve their political agenda. I’m fighting to protect our students.”
Dispute Over New Federal Data Requirements
The legal challenge centers on the ACTS survey, which would require colleges and universities to submit extensive data covering admissions decisions, financial aid awards, and student performance, all broken down by race and other demographic categories.
State officials argue that the new survey represents a significant expansion of the information traditionally collected by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), a long-standing federal database that tracks enrollment, graduation rates, and other institutional metrics across the country.
According to court filings, the states contend that the new reporting requirements would impose substantial administrative burdens on universities, forcing them to gather large volumes of data within tight timelines.
“The sheer amount of data sought through the ACTS survey would place a considerable burden on higher education institutions,” the states argued in their complaint.
Concerns Over Data Use and Federal Authority
In addition to logistical concerns, state attorneys general say the new requirements raise questions about how the federal government intends to use the data.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose office is helping lead the case, accused the administration of attempting to use the data collection process to target diversity initiatives in higher education.
The lawsuit comes amid broader federal scrutiny of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs during the presidency of Donald Trump. Federal officials have argued that expanded data collection is necessary to monitor compliance with federal law and ensure admissions policies do not unlawfully consider race.
States Join Legal Challenge
The lawsuit was filed in federal court by attorneys general from New York, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington.
Legal observers say the case could become a significant test of the federal government’s authority to require detailed institutional data reporting from colleges, as well as the limits of executive branch oversight of higher education policy.
For James, the lawsuit represents another high-profile legal confrontation with the Trump administration.
“I’m fighting to protect our students,” she said, stressing concerns about privacy, institutional autonomy, and federal overreach.
The case is expected to move forward in federal court in the coming months.
