Case: Massachusetts v. Department of Education

1:26-cv-11229 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: March 11, 2026

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case is a challenge by seventeen states to the Department of Education’s new data collection mandate, which would require the states to report vast amounts of student data to the government. On March 11, 2026, a coalition of seventeen states filed this lawsuit in the District of Massachusetts against the U.S. Department of Education (DOE),Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and their respective leadership. The plaintiffs challenged the DOE’s rapid implementation of a new data collection…

This case is a challenge by seventeen states to the Department of Education’s new data collection mandate, which would require the states to report vast amounts of student data to the government.

On March 11, 2026, a coalition of seventeen states filed this lawsuit in the District of Massachusetts against the U.S. Department of Education (DOE),Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and their respective leadership. The plaintiffs challenged the DOE’s rapid implementation of a new data collection mandate known as the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement survey. The plaintiffs argued that the federal government was unlawfully repurposing the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) to serve partisan policy goals by monitoring race-conscious admissions following the Presidential Memorandum titled Ensuring Transparency in Higher Education Admissions, which stated that IPEDS would now become a tool to track “consideration of race in higher education admissions.” According to the lawsuit, the ACTS survey imposed an unprecedented burden on universities by requiring vast amounts of disaggregated and retroactive student data on an extremely compressed timeline. The states contended that this mandate violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act because it bypassed standard vetting procedures, lacked clear definitions, and risked exposing students' private identities. Consequently, the plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief to halt the survey's enforcement and protect institutions from potential financial penalties.

This case was assigned to District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV.

On March 13, 2026, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and sixteen other state plaintiffs filed a motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO), which would enjoin the Defendants from: (1) accessing information uploaded by Plaintiffs in the ACTS survey; (2) requiring that Plaintiffs complete the ACTS survey by March 18, 2026; (3) assessing penalties on Plaintiffs based on their submissions to the ACTS survey; and (4) using the ACTS survey as a basis for any investigation or enforcement action. Later that day, the Court issued a temporary restraining order extending the deadline to complete the ACTS survey through March 25, 2026, to permit orderly briefing and a hearing on the motion.

On March 25, 2026, the Association of American Universities moved to intervene in this action. The same day, they filed a motion for a TRO requesting largely the same temporary relief as the plaintiffs. The Association moved to expedite consideration of their TRO on March 30, 2026.

The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts moved to intervene on March 30, 2026, and like the Association of American Universities, requested a TRO.

On March 31, 2026, The court addressed the proposed intervenors, and (1) provisionally granted the motions to intervene for the limited purpose of considering the proposed plaintiff-intervenors’ motions for a temporary restraining order; and (2) issued a temporary restraining order (a) extending the deadline to complete the ACTS survey for proposed plaintiff-intervenors and their constituent institutions of higher education through April 14, 2026, and (b) restraining defendants from enforcing the deadline of March 18, 2026, or March 31, 2026,against those institutions.

On April 3, 2026, the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, Maine Independent Colleges Association, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities, each moved to intervene and moved for a temporary restraining order.

The same day, the court addressed the plaintiffs’ motion for a TRO and decided to grant a preliminary injunction, enjoining the government from implementing the ACTS survey, but limiting this relief to the plaintiffs in this case. While the court acknowledged the government’s general authority to collect such information as required by the ACTS survey, it found the implementation process likely violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The court emphasized that the 120-day deadline imposed by the presidential memorandum led to a rushed and chaotic process that ignored meaningful public concerns. Furthermore, the court criticized the federal government for launching a massive data initiative while simultaneously dismantling the DOE and reducing necessary staff. Ultimately, the court determined that the states faced irreparable harm from the administrative burden and legal risks of this "arbitrary and capricious" agency action. 2026 WL 918941.

On April 6, 2026, Independent College Group moved to intervene, and like other proposed intervenors, moved for a TRO.

The next day, the court provisionally granted the outstanding motions to intervene, and provided the same preliminary relief as to the other putative intervenors.

After a motion hearing on April 13, 2026, the court issued an order extending the TROs for each intervenor. In doing so, it extended the deadline to complete the ACTS survey for the plaintiff-intervenors and their constituent institutions of higher education through April 24, 2026, and enjoined the defendants from enforcing the prior deadlines.

This case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Sofia Yoder (4/19/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72415687/parties/commonwealth-of-massachusetts-v-department-of-education/

Judge(s)

Saylor, F. Dennis (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Pascucci, Michelle R. (Massachusetts)

Judge(s)

Saylor, F. Dennis (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Pascucci, Michelle R. (Massachusetts)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:26-cv-11229	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. U.S. Department of Education	March 11, 2026	March 11, 2026 Complaint
118 1:26-cv-11229	Order on Motions of Proposed Plaintiff-Intervenor Association of American Universities and Proposed Plaintiff-Intervenor Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts for a Temporary Restraining Order Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Department of Education	March 31, 2026	March 31, 2026 Order/Opinion 2026 WL 896909
142 1:26-cv-11229	Memorandum and Order on Plaintiffs' Motion for a Preliminary Injunction Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Department of Education	April 3, 2026	April 3, 2026 Order/Opinion 2026 WL 918941

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72415687/commonwealth-of-massachusetts-v-department-of-education/

Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:12 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against All Plaintiffs Filing fee: $ 405, receipt number AMADC-11602923 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Category Form, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(Pascucci, Michelle) (Entered: 03/11/2026) 1 Category Form View on PACER 2 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER	March 11, 2026	March 11, 2026 Clearinghouse
2	ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV assigned to case. If the trial Judge issues an Order of Reference of any matter in this case to a Magistrate Judge, the matter will be transmitted to Magistrate Judge Paul G. Levenson. (JKK) (Entered: 03/11/2026)	March 11, 2026	March 11, 2026
3	Summons Issued as to Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should download this summons, complete one for each defendant and serve it in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P. 4 and LR 4.1. Summons will be mailed to plaintiff(s) not receiving notice electronically for completion of service. (MAC) (Entered: 03/11/2026)	March 11, 2026	March 11, 2026
	Notice of Case Assignment	March 11, 2026	March 11, 2026
4	First MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Ryan P. Kane Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11607066 by State of Vermont. (Attachments: # 1 Certification of Ryan P. Kane)(Guerrero, Carol) (Entered: 03/12/2026)	March 12, 2026	March 12, 2026
5	NOTICE of Appearance by Carol Guerrero on behalf of Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Guerrero, Carol) (Entered: 03/13/2026)	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026
6	MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Commonwealth of Massachusetts.(Pascucci, Michelle) (Main Document 6 replaced on 3/13/2026) (MAC). (Entered: 03/13/2026)	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026 RECAP
7	MEMORANDUM in Support re 6 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Pascucci, Michelle) (Entered: 03/13/2026)	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026 RECAP
8	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 4 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Ryan P. Kane. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (MAC) (Entered: 03/13/2026)	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026
9	DECLARATION re 6 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order of Michelle Pascucci by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit H, # 9 Exhibit I, # 10 Exhibit J, # 11 Exhibit K, # 12 Exhibit L, # 13 Exhibit M, # 14 Exhibit N, # 15 Exhibit O, # 16 Exhibit P, # 17 Exhibit Q, # 18 Exhibit R, # 19 Exhibit S, # 20 Exhibit T, # 21 Exhibit U, # 22 Exhibit V, # 23 Exhibit W, # 24 Exhibit W, # 25 Exhibit Y, # 26 Exhibit Z, # 27 Exhibit AA, # 28 Exhibit BB)(Pascucci, Michelle) (Entered: 03/13/2026)	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026
10	NOTICE of Appearance by Ryan Patrick Kane on behalf of State of Vermont (Kane, Ryan) (Entered: 03/13/2026)	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026
11	MOTION to Rely Upon Pseudonymous Declarations (Unopposed) by Commonwealth of Massachusetts.(Pascucci, Michelle) (Entered: 03/13/2026)	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026
12	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER EXTENDING DEADLINE. In order to permit a hearing and orderly resolution of the issues, the Court hereby issues a temporary restraining order extending the deadline to complete the ACTS survey through March 25, 2026, and temporarily restraining defendants from enforcing the deadline of March 18, 2026, without prejudice to a further extension of the deadline or other preliminary relief as justice may require.(MMM) (Entered: 03/13/2026)	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026 RECAP
13	NOTICE OF HEARING: Motion Hearing set for 3/24/2026 02:00 PM by video before District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV. This hearing will be conducted by video conference. Counsel of record will receive a video conference invite at the email registered in CM/ECF. If you have technical or compatibility issues with the technology, please notify the courtroom deputy of the session as soon as possible.Audio access to the hearing may be available to the media and public. Please check the Court schedule. In order to gain access to the hearing, you must sign up at the following address: https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/courtlist.html.For questions regarding access to hearings, you may refer to the general orders and public notices of the Court available on www.mad.uscourts.gov or contact the session here.(MMM) (Entered: 03/13/2026)	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026
	Notice Setting or Resetting Hearing on Motion	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026
14	NOTICE of Appearance by Leanne E. Hartmann on behalf of State of Oregon (Hartmann, Leanne) (Entered: 03/16/2026)	March 16, 2026	March 16, 2026
15	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Sarah Weiss, Nora Passamaneck Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-11613056 by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Affidavit of Sarah Weiss, # 2 Affidavit Affidavit of Nora Passamaneck)(Pascucci, Michelle) (Entered: 03/16/2026)	March 16, 2026	March 16, 2026
16	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Kalikoonlani D. Fernandes, David Day Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-11613185 by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit David Day, # 2 Affidavit Kalikoonlani D. Fernandes)(Pascucci, Michelle) (Entered: 03/16/2026)	March 16, 2026	March 16, 2026
17	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Nancy Trasande, Jillian Ollwerther, Jonathan Mangel Filing fee: $ 375, receipt number AMADC-11613576 by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Jonathan Mangel, # 2 Affidavit of Jillian Ollwerther, # 3 Affidavit of Nancy Trasande)(Pascucci, Michelle) (Entered: 03/16/2026)	March 16, 2026	March 16, 2026
18	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Jessica Ranucci, Rabia Muqaddam Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-11613634 by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Jessica Ranucci, # 2 Affidavit of Rabia Muqaddam)(Pascucci, Michelle) (Entered: 03/16/2026)	March 16, 2026	March 16, 2026
19	Notice of Service of Process filed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Individual(s)/Entities served: Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought. (Guerrero, Carol) (Entered: 03/16/2026)	March 16, 2026	March 16, 2026
20	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 15 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Nora Passamaneck. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 15 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Sarah Weiss. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 16, 2026	March 16, 2026
21	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 16 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Kalikoonlani D. Fernandes, David Day. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (MAC) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 16, 2026	March 16, 2026
22	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 17 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Nancy Trasande, Jonathan Mangel. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 17 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Jillian Ollwerther. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 16, 2026	March 16, 2026
23	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 18 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Jessica Ranucci, Rabia Muqaddam. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (MAC) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 16, 2026	March 16, 2026
24	NOTICE of Appearance by Jessica Ranucci on behalf of State of New York (Ranucci, Jessica) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 17, 2026	March 17, 2026
25	NOTICE of Appearance by Rabia Muqaddam on behalf of State of New York (Muqaddam, Rabia) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 17, 2026	March 17, 2026
26	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Virginia A. Williamson Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11615302 by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Guerrero, Carol) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 17, 2026	March 17, 2026
27	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 26 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Virginia A. Williamson. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (MAC) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 17, 2026	March 17, 2026
28	NOTICE of Appearance by Virginia Anne Williamson on behalf of State of Maryland (Williamson, Virginia) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 17, 2026	March 17, 2026
29	NOTICE of Appearance by Nora Q.E. Passamaneck on behalf of State of Colorado (Passamaneck, Nora) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 17, 2026	March 17, 2026
30	NOTICE of Appearance by Kalikoonalani Diara Fernandes on behalf of State of Hawaii (Fernandes, Kalikoonalani) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 17, 2026	March 17, 2026
31	NOTICE of Appearance by David Dana Day on behalf of State of Hawaii (Day, David) (Entered: 03/17/2026)	March 17, 2026	March 17, 2026
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear	March 17, 2026	March 17, 2026
32	NOTICE of Appearance by Brittany Bruns on behalf of Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought (Bruns, Brittany) (Entered: 03/18/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
33	NOTICE of Appearance by Laila Marie Ameri on behalf of Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ameri, Laila) (Entered: 03/18/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
34	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Mary K. Lenehan Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11618118 by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Guerrero, Carol) (Entered: 03/18/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
35	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Molly Powell, Mina Shahin Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-11618181 by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit, # 2 Affidavit)(Guerrero, Carol) (Entered: 03/18/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
36	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Ian R. Liston Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11619056 by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Guerrero, Carol) (Entered: 03/18/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
37	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Virginia Corrigan, Brandy Doyle, Nicholas Keats, Kenneth Sugarman, Delbert Tran Filing fee: $ 625, receipt number AMADC-11619167 by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit, # 2 Affidavit, # 3 Affidavit, # 4 Affidavit, # 5 Affidavit)(Guerrero, Carol) (Entered: 03/18/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
38	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Kiel Brunetti Ireland Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11619261 by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Guerrero, Carol) (Entered: 03/18/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
39	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 34 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Mary K. Lenehan. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
40	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 35 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Molly Powell, Mina Shahin. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
41	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 36 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Ian R. Liston. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (MAC) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
42	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 37 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Delbert Tran. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 37 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Virginia Corrigan, Brandy Doyle, Nicholas Keats, Kenneth Sugarman. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
43	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 38 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Kiel Brunetti Ireland. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 18, 2026	March 18, 2026
44	NOTICE of Appearance by Sarah Hunter Weiss on behalf of State of Colorado (Weiss, Sarah) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
45	NOTICE of Appearance by Molly Powell on behalf of State of Washington (Powell, Molly) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
46	NOTICE of Appearance by Mina Shahin on behalf of State of Washington (Shahin, Mina) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
47	NOTICE of Appearance by Kiel Ireland on behalf of State of Nevada (Ireland, Kiel) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
48	NOTICE of Appearance by Kenneth Sugarman on behalf of State of California (Sugarman, Kenneth) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
49	NOTICE of Appearance by Shoba Pillay on behalf of Association of American Universities, American Council on Education, Association of American Medical Colleges, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Council of Graduate Schools, Council of Independent Colleges, National Association of College and University Business Officers, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (Pillay, Shoba) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
50	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Ishan K. Bhabha Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11622792 by American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Universities, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Council of Graduate Schools, Council of Independent Colleges, National Association of College and University Business Officers, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.(Pillay, Shoba) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
51	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Lindsay C. Harrison Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11622810 by American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Universities, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Council of Graduate Schools, Council of Independent Colleges, National Association of College and University Business Officers, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.(Pillay, Shoba) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
52	MOTION for Leave to File Brief as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (Unopposed) by American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Universities, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Council of Graduate Schools, Council of Independent Colleges, National Association of College and University Business Officers, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Proposed Amicus Brief)(Pillay, Shoba) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
53	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Elizabeth Henthorne Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11622845 by American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Universities, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Council of Graduate Schools, Council of Independent Colleges, National Association of College and University Business Officers, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.(Pillay, Shoba) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
54	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Mary-Claire Spurgin Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11622856 by American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Universities, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Council of Graduate Schools, Council of Independent Colleges, National Association of College and University Business Officers, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.(Pillay, Shoba) (Entered: 03/19/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
55	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 50 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Ishan K. Bhabha. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (MAC) (Entered: 03/20/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
56	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 51 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Lindsay C. Harrison. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (MAC) (Entered: 03/20/2026)	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear	March 19, 2026	March 19, 2026
57	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 53 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Elizabeth Henthorne. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (MAC) (Entered: 03/20/2026)	March 20, 2026	March 20, 2026
58	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ORDER entered GRANTING 54 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Mary-Claire Spurgin. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (MAC) (Entered: 03/20/2026)	March 20, 2026	March 20, 2026
59	Amicus Curiae APPEARANCE entered by Ishan Bhabha on behalf of American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Universities, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Council of Graduate Schools, Council of Independent Colleges, National Association of College and University Business Officers, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. (Bhabha, Ishan) (Entered: 03/20/2026)	March 20, 2026	March 20, 2026
60	Amicus Curiae APPEARANCE entered by Lindsay C. Harrison on behalf of American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Universities, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Council of Graduate Schools, Council of Independent Colleges, National Association of College and University Business Officers, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. (Harrison, Lindsay) (Entered: 03/20/2026)	March 20, 2026	March 20, 2026
61	Amicus Curiae APPEARANCE entered by Elizabeth Henthorne on behalf of American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Universities, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Council of Graduate Schools, Council of Independent Colleges, National Association of College and University Business Officers, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. (Henthorne, Elizabeth) (Entered: 03/20/2026)	March 20, 2026	March 20, 2026
62	NOTICE of Appearance by Ian Liston on behalf of State of Delaware (Liston, Ian) (Entered: 03/20/2026)	March 20, 2026	March 20, 2026
63	Amicus Curiae APPEARANCE entered by Mary-Claire Spurgin on behalf of American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Universities, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Council of Graduate Schools, Council of Independent Colleges, National Association of College and University Business Officers, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. (Spurgin, Mary-Claire) (Entered: 03/20/2026)	March 20, 2026	March 20, 2026 RECAP
64	NOTICE of Appearance by Brandy Doyle on behalf of State of California (Doyle, Brandy) (Entered: 03/20/2026)	March 20, 2026	March 20, 2026
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear	March 20, 2026	March 20, 2026
65	NOTICE of Appearance by Jillian Lewis Ollwerther on behalf of State of New Jersey (Ollwerther, Jillian) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
66	NOTICE of Appearance by Jonathan B. Mangel on behalf of State of New Jersey (Mangel, Jonathan) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
67	NOTICE of Appearance by Delbert Tran on behalf of State of California (Tran, Delbert) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
68	Opposition re 6 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought. (Bruns, Brittany) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
69	DECLARATION re 68 Opposition to Motion for Temporary Restraining Order by Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit H, # 9 Exhibit I, # 10 Exhibit J, # 11 Exhibit K, # 12 Exhibit L, # 13 Exhibit M, # 14 Exhibit N, # 15 Exhibit O, # 16 Exhibit P, # 17 Exhibit Q, # 18 Exhibit R, # 19 Exhibit S)(Bruns, Brittany) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
70	NOTICE of Appearance by Nancy Trasande on behalf of State of New Jersey (Trasande, Nancy) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	March 23, 2026	March 23, 2026
71	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. D. 11 Motion GRANTED, subject to further modification for good cause shown and as the interests of justice may require. (MMM) (Entered: 03/24/2026)	March 24, 2026	March 24, 2026
72	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 52 MOTION for Leave to File Brief as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (Unopposed). (MMM) (Entered: 03/24/2026)	March 24, 2026	March 24, 2026
73	AMICUS BRIEF filed by American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Universities, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Council of Graduate Schools, Council of Independent Colleges, National Association of College and University Business Officers, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators . (Pillay, Shoba) (Entered: 03/24/2026)	March 24, 2026	March 24, 2026
74	Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: Motion Hearing held on 3/24/2026. Case called; Arguments heard; Parties can make supplemental filings by 12pm Monday 3/30/26. Further Order to follow. (Court Reporter: Catherine Zelinski at CAL.Zelinski.Steno@gmail.com.)(Attorneys present: Michelle Pasucci, Carol Guerrero and Laila Marie Ameri for the plaintiff. Brittany Bruns for the government.) (MMM) (Entered: 03/24/2026)	March 24, 2026	March 24, 2026
75	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ORDER entered. TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER FURTHER EXTENDING DEADLINE. In order to provide an opportunity for supplemental briefing and to permit orderly resolution of the issues, the Court hereby issues a further temporary restraining order extending the deadline to complete the ACTS survey for the 17 named plaintiffs and their constituent institutions of higher education through April 6, 2026, and temporarily restraining defendants from enforcing the deadline of March 18, 2026, against those plaintiffs, without prejudice to the issuance of such other preliminary relief as justice may require.(MMM) (Entered: 03/24/2026)	March 24, 2026	March 24, 2026 RECAP
	Order on Motion for Leave to File Document	March 24, 2026	March 24, 2026
	Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief	March 24, 2026	March 24, 2026
	Motion Hearing	March 24, 2026	March 24, 2026
76	NOTICE of Appearance by Jared B. Cohen on behalf of Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Cohen, Jared) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
77	NOTICE of Appearance by Shoba Pillay on behalf of Association of American Universities (Pillay, Shoba) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
78	NOTICE of Appearance by Ishan Bhabha on behalf of Association of American Universities (Bhabha, Ishan) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
79	NOTICE of Appearance by Lindsay C. Harrison on behalf of Association of American Universities (Harrison, Lindsay) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
80	NOTICE of Appearance by Elizabeth Henthorne on behalf of Association of American Universities (Henthorne, Elizabeth) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
81	NOTICE of Appearance by Mary-Claire Spurgin on behalf of Association of American Universities (Spurgin, Mary-Claire) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
82	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Hilary Ledwell Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11635978 by Association of American Universities.(Pillay, Shoba) (Main Document 82 replaced on 3/26/2026) (MAC). (Additional attachment(s) added on 3/26/2026: # 1 Certification) (MAC). Modified on 3/26/2026 to properly refile certification as a separate attachment. (MAC) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
83	MOTION to Intervene by Association of American Universities. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Proposed Complaint in Intervention, # 4 Proposed Order)(Harrison, Lindsay) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
84	MEMORANDUM in Support re 83 MOTION to Intervene filed by Association of American Universities. (Harrison, Lindsay) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026 RECAP
85	MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Association of American Universities. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Harrison, Lindsay) (Entered: 03/25/2026) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026 RECAP
86	MEMORANDUM in Support re 85 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order filed by Association of American Universities. (Harrison, Lindsay) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026 RECAP
87	DECLARATION re 86 Memorandum in Support of Motion / Declaration of AAU President Barbara R. Snyder by Association of American Universities. (Harrison, Lindsay) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
88	CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Association of American Universities. (Harrison, Lindsay) (Entered: 03/25/2026)	March 25, 2026	March 25, 2026
89	District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 82 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Hilary Ledwell. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (MAC) (Entered: 03/26/2026)	March 26, 2026	March 26, 2026
90	Transcript of Motion Hearing held on March 24, 2026, before Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV. The Transcript may be purchased through the Court Reporter, viewed at the public terminal, or viewed through PACER after it is released. Court Reporter Name and Contact Information: Catherine Zelinski at CAL.Zelinski.Steno@gmail.com. Redaction Request due 4/16/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 4/27/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 6/24/2026. (DRK) (Entered: 03/26/2026)	March 26, 2026	March 26, 2026
91	NOTICE is hereby given that an official transcript of a proceeding has been filed by the court reporter in the above-captioned matter. Counsel are referred to the Court's Transcript Redaction Policy, available on the court website at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/transcripts.htm (DRK) (Entered: 03/26/2026)	March 26, 2026	March 26, 2026

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Education

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Diversity/Equity/Inclusion/Accessibility (DEIA) and/or Antisemitism

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 11, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are a coalition of seventeen states.

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

Office of Management and Budget

United States Department of Education

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Other Dockets:

District of Massachusetts 1:26-cv-11229

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

Preliminary injunction / Temp. restraining order

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

General/Misc.:

Education

Records Disclosure

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Massachusetts v. Department of Education, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47882/ (last updated 4/19/2026).