- The U.S. Department of Justice has sued Harvard University, alleging the school failed to provide detailed admissions data requested in a federal civil rights investigation.
- The lawsuit not accuse Harvard of new racial discrimination. Instead, it seeks a court order compelling the university to turn over applicant-level data and related documents.
- The dispute follows the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, which banned the consideration of race in college admissions under Title VI.
The The US Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Harvard Universityarguing that the university unlawfully withheld admissions data necessary for a federal review of civil rights compliance.
The complaint (PDF file), filed February 13, 2026, in federal court in Massachusetts, seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to compel Harvard to provide applicant-level admissions data and internal communications regarding race and diversity policies. The government is not seeking monetary damages or revocation of federal funds.
At the heart of the dispute is enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race in programs receiving federal financial assistance.
Post-confrontation with the Supreme Court
The lawsuit has its origins in the 2023 Supreme Court ruling Students for Fair Admissions vs. President and Fellows of Harvard College. In that ruling, the Court found that Harvard’s admissions program violated Title VI by considering race in a manner that amounted to impermissible racial balance.
Following that decision, the Justice Department opened compliance reviews at Harvard College, Harvard Law School and Harvard Medical School in April 2025, the complaint said.
Federal officials asked:
- Applicant-level admissions data for the past five academic years.
- Test scores (SAT/ACT, LSAT, MCAT), GPAs, essays, and admissions results.
- Internal assessments and ‘holistic assessment’ factors.
- Documents and correspondence related to race, ethnicity, diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and the Supreme Court ruling.
The department said it needed this information to determine whether Harvard was no longer considering race in admissions decisions.
Harvard produced several batches of documents in May 2025. But according to the complaint, those productions consisted largely of publicly available materials and aggregated statistics, rather than individualized applicant-level data. The Justice Department alleges that Harvard failed to meet extended deadlines in September and October 2025 and has not produced any additional materials since May 30, 2025.
The government argues that this denial violates both federal regulations and contractual obligations associated with a Department of Justice grant.
Legal basis for the lawsuit
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act states that no person shall be discriminated against “on account of race, color, or national origin” in programs receiving federal financial assistance.
Harvard is a recipient of federal funding. According to the complaint:
- The university received $686 million in federal research funding in 2024, representing approximately 11% of its annual operating budget.
- It currently has more than $2.6 billion in active federal grants.
- One active grant from the Department of Justice totals $654,195 and includes compliance obligations under Title VI.
Federal regulations require grant recipients to submit “timely, complete, and accurate compliance reports” and provide access to relevant data during investigations.
The Justice Department alleges that by failing to provide applicant-level data, Harvard violated these legal and contractual obligations.
Importantly, the lawsuit explicitly states that in this filing, the government “does not accuse Harvard of any discriminatory conduct.” Instead, she is seeking an order requiring Harvard to produce the requested data.
What this means for students and families
For families going through the college admissions process, this case can feel distant. But it reflects wider changes that could impact the way selective universities assess candidates.
Since the 2023 Supreme Court decision, colleges across the country have revised admissions policies to remove explicit consideration of race. Many institutions have shifted focus to socioeconomic background, first-generation status, geographic diversity, and essay prompts that allow students to describe personal experiences (including experiences related to race) without formally using race as a selection factor.
If the Justice Department ultimately obtains applicant-level data and concludes that Harvard remains in compliance, the case could end up as a records dispute.
If the evaluation revealed violations, the consequences could escalate. Under Title VI, the federal government has the authority to suspend or terminate federal funding. While that move is rare and not currently being pursued, the financial stakes are significant given Harvard’s research funding levels.
For future students, the most immediate impact is policy clarity. The government’s aggressive enforcement posture signals continued scrutiny of the admissions processes of elite universities. Families can see:
- Increased transparency requirements regarding admission criteria.
- More documentation on how holistic rating systems work.
- Ongoing legal challenges to racing-related practices across the country.
Admission rates at Harvard remain highly competitive. According to the complaint, Harvard College admits 4.2% of applicants, Harvard Law School 9.2% and Harvard Medical School 3.2%.
In such selective environments, even small policy adjustments can have a huge impact.
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