US Justice Department sues Harvard over alleged failure to provide admissions data

WASHINGTON

The US Justice Department on Friday filed a lawsuit against Harvard University accusing it of unlawfully withholding admissions data needed to determine whether it was complying with federal civil rights law following a 2023Supreme Court’s ruling.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, this Department of Justice is demanding better from our nation’s educational institutions,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement.

"Harvard has failed to disclose the data we need to ensure that its admissions are free of discrimination — we will continue fighting to put merit over DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion)" across America."

According to the complaint, Harvard violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by failing to comply with document production requests tied to a compliance review.

The suit alleges that the university “slow-walked” its responses, declined to produce pertinent materials, and failed to provide timely access to applicant-level admissions data.

Harvard has not yet publicly responded to the filing.