Case: State of Tennessee v. United States Department of Education

3:25-cv-00270 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee

Filed Date: June 11, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenges the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) programs, which award grants to colleges and universities only if they meet a 25% Hispanic student enrollment threshold. Tennessee operates many public colleges and universities that serve Hispanic and low-income students, and generally these institutions serve a large percentage of ethnic minorities. However, the particular ethnic minority makeup doesn’t meet the 25% Hispanic threshold. Tennessee argues that the HSI program’s ethnic t…

On June 11, 2025, plaintiffs, the State of Tennessee and Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Knoxville Division, against the U.S. Department of Education and the Secretary of Education. Represented by the Attorney General of Tennessee and private counsel, plaintiffs alleged the following constitutional violations.

First, plaintiffs alleged defendants violated the Spending Clause because HSI did not pursue the general welfare, but instead served only one ethnic group through an arbitrary cutoff. Second, plaintiffs alleged that the HSI violated the equal-protection principle in the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause because it facially discriminated on the basis of ethnicity and failed strict scrutiny. Third, plaintiffs alleged that the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause protects the right to be free of racial discrimination as a component of citizenship.

Plaintiffs sought declaratory judgment; injunctive relief prohibiting defendants from enforcing the HSI program’s ethnicity-based requirements in decisions whether to award or maintain grants to Tennessee’s institutions of higher education; and attorneys’ fees, costs, and any other relief the court deemed proper. The case was assigned to District Judge Katherine A. Crytzer and Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin.

On July 24, 2025, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) moved to intervene as a defendant-intervenor; plaintiffs did not oppose the motion. On August 8, 2025, the National Association of Scholars (NAS) and Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences (FASORP) moved to intervene as plaintiff-intervenors; defendants did not oppose the motion. On October 10, 2025, the court granted both motions to intervene. That same day, the plaintiff-intervenors filed a complaint, and on October 13, 2025, the defendant-intervenor filed an answer to plaintiffs’ original complaint.

The four plaintiff-intervenor members included faculty and students at non-HSI institutions of higher education across Tennessee and the nation, including at least one member whose institution could otherwise qualify for the HSI programs but for the programs’ discriminatory criteria. Represented by the American Civil Rights Project and private counsel, plaintiff-intervenors alleged two claims for relief. Specifically, they alleged defendants violated the Equal Protection Clause and the Spending Clause. Plaintiff-intervenors sought declaratory judgment, injunctive relief enjoining defendants from race-based eligibility requirements in HSI programs, attorneys’ fees and costs, and any other relief the court deemed proper.

On December 2, 2025, defendant-intervenor moved to dismiss plaintiff-intervenors’ complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, arguing that plaintiff-intervenors failed to identify a single member of either intervening organization who had suffered a particularized injury. Approximately six weeks later, on January 8, 2026, defendant-intervenor moved for judgment on the pleadings for plaintiffs’ claims, raising the same jurisdictional defect.

On August 31, 2026, plaintiffs and plaintiff-intervenors moved for summary judgment, arguing they had legal standing and that the HSI program was unconstitutional.

On September 29, 2026, defendant-intervenor filed a cross-motion for summary judgment arguing plaintiffs lacked standing, and plaintiffs’ claims under the Fifth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause and the Spending Clause failed as a matter of law because the HSI program did not discriminate on its face or in purpose or effect and pursued the general welfare.

The case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Raquel Winer (10/19/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70513676/parties/state-of-tennessee-v-united-states-department-of-education/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bernard, Aaron (Tennessee)

Attorney for Defendant

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Amalfard, Naveed S. (Tennessee)

Bingham, Joseph (Tennessee)

Carver, Mark Alexander (Tennessee)

Diskant, Gregory L (Tennessee)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bernard, Aaron (Tennessee)

Dobbs, Tyler (Tennessee)

McCarthy, Thomas R (Tennessee)

Minchin, Joshua Daniel (Tennessee)

Mortara, Adam K (Tennessee)

Norris, Cameron T. (Tennessee)

Pociask, Matt (Tennessee)

Rice, James Matthew (Tennessee)

Attorney for Defendant

Fajana, Francisca D. (Tennessee)

Garcia, Cesar Emilio (Tennessee)

Hart, Grace E. (Tennessee)

Kondic, Suzana (Tennessee)

Reeves, Clifford Lee (Tennessee)

Scout, Zee (Tennessee)

Somayajula, Namratha (Tennessee)

Stone, Donovan J. (Tennessee)

Yarbrough, Stella Marie (Tennessee)

Other

Amalfard, Naveed S. (Tennessee)

Bingham, Joseph (Tennessee)

Carver, Mark Alexander (Tennessee)

Diskant, Gregory L (Tennessee)

Jones, Chavis (Tennessee)

McCoy, Kellen (Tennessee)

Morenoff, Dan (Tennessee)

Osborne, Eric G (Tennessee)

Pillera, Michael (Tennessee)

Wainhouse, Henry (Tennessee)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 3:25-cv-00270	Complaint	June 11, 2025	June 11, 2025 Complaint
34 3:25-cv-00270	Order Granting Motions to Intervene	Oct. 10, 2025	Oct. 10, 2025 Order/Opinion
35 3:25-cv-00270	Intervenor Complaint State of Tennessee v. The National Association of Scholars	Oct. 10, 2025	Oct. 10, 2025 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70513676/state-of-tennessee-v-united-states-department-of-education/

Last updated Oct. 18, 2026, 10:20 a.m.

Docket for: State of Tennessee v. United States Department of Education

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	June 11, 2025	COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ATNEDC-6022278.), filed by State of Tennessee, Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons)(Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 06/11/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on RECAP 2 Summons View on RECAP 3 Summons View on RECAP 4 Summons View on RECAP 5 Summons View on RECAP 6 Summons View on RECAP 7 Summons View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
2	June 11, 2025	Certificate of Corporate Interest by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 06/11/2025)	RECAP
3	June 11, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by James Matthew Rice on behalf of State of Tennessee (Rice, James) (Entered: 06/11/2025)	RECAP
4	June 11, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Joshua Daniel Minchin on behalf of State of Tennessee (Minchin, Joshua) (Entered: 06/11/2025)	RECAP
5	June 11, 2025	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6022636.) by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing)(Pociask, Matt) (Entered: 06/11/2025) 1 Certificate of Good Standing View on PACER	RECAP
6	June 11, 2025	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, Thomas R. McCarthy ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6022641.) by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing)(Pociask, Matt) (Entered: 06/11/2025)	RECAP
7	June 11, 2025	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Aaron Bernard by State of Tennessee. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing, # 2 Affidavit)(Minchin, Joshua) (Entered: 06/11/2025)	RECAP
8	June 12, 2025	Summons Issued as to Linda McMahon, United States Department of Education. (Attachments: # 1 Summons US Attorney General - United States Department of Education, # 2 Summons US Attorney - Department of Education, # 3 Summons Linda McMahon, # 4 Summons Linda McMahon - US Attorney General, # 5 Summons Linda McMahon - US Attorney) (CAT) (Entered: 06/12/2025)	RECAP
9	June 12, 2025	Order Governing Sealing Confidential Information. Signed by District Judge Katherine A Crytzer on 06/12/2025. (CAT) (Entered: 06/12/2025)	RECAP
10	June 12, 2025	Order Governing Depositions. Signed by District Judge Katherine A Crytzer on 06/12/2025. (CAT) (Entered: 06/12/2025)	RECAP
11	June 12, 2025	Order Governing Motions To Dismiss. Signed by District Judge Katherine A Crytzer on 06/12/2025. (CAT) (Entered: 06/12/2025)	RECAP
	June 12, 2025	Add and Terminate Judges
	June 12, 2025	District Judge Katherine A Crytzer and Magistrate Judge Debra C Poplin added. (CAT)
	June 12, 2025	Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements
	June 12, 2025	Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements is complete Matt Pociask, Thomas McCarthy, and Aaron Bernard regarding document: 7 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Aaron Bernard filed by State of Tennessee, 6 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, Thomas R. McCarthy ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6022641.) filed by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc., 5 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6022636.) filed by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc. (CAT)
12	June 16, 2025	SUMMONS Returned Executed by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. All Defendants. (Pociask, Matt) (Entered: 06/16/2025)	RECAP
13	June 17, 2025	Administrative Notice to Counsel 12 Summons Returned Executed as to USA : Please refile document 12 using the event Affidavit of Service found under Service of Process. Requirements due by 6/23/2025. (CAT) (Entered: 06/17/2025)	RECAP
14	June 17, 2025	AFFIDAVIT of Service for Summons and Complaint served on All Defendants on 6/16/2025, filed by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Pociask, Matt) (Entered: 06/17/2025)	RECAP
15	June 17, 2025	ORDER granting 5 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf; granting 6 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf; granting 7 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 06/17/2025. This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court. (HSN) (Entered: 06/17/2025)	RECAP
	June 17, 2025	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
16	July 24, 2025	MOTION to Intervene by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Declaration of Flores, # 2 Other Proposed Answer)(Yarbrough, Stella) (Entered: 07/24/2025) 1 Exhibit Declaration of Flores View on RECAP 2 Other Proposed Answer View on RECAP	RECAP
17	July 24, 2025	MEMORANDUM in Support re 16 Motion to Intervene . (Yarbrough, Stella) (Entered: 07/24/2025)	RECAP
18	July 24, 2025	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Francisca Fajana ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6060915.) by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Good Standing)(Yarbrough, Stella) (Entered: 07/24/2025)	RECAP
19	July 24, 2025	RESPONSE to Motion re 16 MOTION to Intervene in Non-Opposition filed by State of Tennessee, Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 07/24/2025)	RECAP
	July 25, 2025	Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements
	July 25, 2025	Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements is complete regarding document: 18 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Francisca Fajana ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6060915.) filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (LCK)
20	July 28, 2025	ORDER granting 18 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 07/28/2025. (This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (HSN) (Entered: 07/28/2025)	RECAP
	July 28, 2025	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
	July 29, 2025	Public Docket Annotation
	July 29, 2025	Docket Annotation
	July 29, 2025	Gavel Order 20 mailed to Attorney Francisca D. Fajana. (LCK)
21	Aug. 7, 2025	RESPONSE to Motion re 16 MOTION to Intervene Non-Opposition to Permissive Intervention filed by Linda McMahon, United States Department of Education. (Berman, Keri) (Entered: 08/07/2025)	RECAP
22	Aug. 8, 2025	MOTION to Intervene by The National Association of Scholars, Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences. (Attachments: # 1 Other Proposed Complaint)(Osborne, Eric) (Entered: 08/08/2025) 1 Other Proposed Complaint View on RECAP	RECAP
23	Aug. 8, 2025	MEMORANDUM in Support of Motion re 22 MOTION to Intervene filed by Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences, The National Association of Scholars. (Osborne, Eric) (Entered: 08/08/2025)	RECAP
24	Aug. 8, 2025	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Mark Alexander Carver by Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences, The National Association of Scholars. (Attachments: # 1 Other Certificate of Good Standing)(Osborne, Eric) (Entered: 08/08/2025)	RECAP
25	Aug. 8, 2025	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Dan Morenoff ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6076178.) by Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences, The National Association of Scholars. (Attachments: # 1 Other Certificate of Good Standing)(Osborne, Eric) (Entered: 08/08/2025)	RECAP
26	Aug. 8, 2025	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Joseph Bingham ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6076196.) by Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences, The National Association of Scholars. (Attachments: # 1 Other Certificate of Good Standing)(Osborne, Eric) (Entered: 08/08/2025)	RECAP
	Aug. 11, 2025	Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements
	Aug. 11, 2025	Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements is complete for Mark Carver, Dan Morenoff, and Joseph Bingham regarding document: 26 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Joseph Bingham ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6076196.) filed by The National Association of Scholars, Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences, 25 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Dan Morenoff ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6076178.) filed by The National Association of Scholars, Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences, 24 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Mark Alexander Carver filed by The National Association of Scholars, Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences (CAT)
27	Aug. 14, 2025	MAIL RETURNED as Undeliverable. Mail sent to Francisca D. Fajana re Docket Annotation. (KDO) (Entered: 08/14/2025)	RECAP
28	Aug. 15, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Clifford Lee Reeves, II on behalf of All Defendants (Reeves, Clifford) (Entered: 08/15/2025)	RECAP
29	Aug. 15, 2025	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 22 MOTION to Intervene, 1 Complaint, by Linda McMahon, United States Department of Education. (Reeves, Clifford) (Entered: 08/15/2025)	RECAP
30	Aug. 15, 2025	ORDER granting 24 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf; granting 25 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf; granting 26 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 08/15/2025. (This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (HSN) (Entered: 08/15/2025)	RECAP
	Aug. 15, 2025	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
31	Aug. 18, 2025	Now before the Court is Defendants' Unopposed Request for Extension of Time [Doc. 29]. In light of no opposition, and for good cause shown, the Court GRANTS the motion [Doc. 29]. Defendants SHALL respond to the Complaint on or before October 2, 2025. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 8/18/2025. (This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (AGA) (Entered: 08/18/2025)	RECAP
	Aug. 18, 2025	Public Docket Annotation
	Aug. 18, 2025	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
	Aug. 18, 2025	Copy of Gavel Order, Doc. 30, mailed to Attorneys Dan Morenoff and Joseph Bingham. (AFW)
	Aug. 18, 2025	Docket Annotation
	Aug. 19, 2025	Public Docket Annotation
	Aug. 19, 2025	Copy of Gavel Order, Doc. 31, mailed to Attorneys Dan Morenoff and Joseph Bingham. (AFW)
	Aug. 19, 2025	Docket Annotation
32	Sept. 30, 2025	NOTICE by Linda McMahon, United States Department of Education re 1 Complaint, of Filing (Reeves, Clifford) (Entered: 09/30/2025)	RECAP
33	Oct. 2, 2025	Now before the Court is Defendants' Notice of Filing [Doc. 32]. They note that their deadline to respond to the Complaint is October 2, 2025 [Id. at 1]. But they state that once the Court adjudicates the pending motions for intervention and the parties have completed dispositive motions, "the scope of the parties' disputes about legality and/or any potential remedies will likely become clearer" [Id.]. Defendants conferred with Plaintiffs, who "do not object to treating Defendants' letter as their response to the [C]omplaint and excusing Defendants from filing any further response" [Id. at 2]. To the extent Defendants are seeking relief from the Court, they SHALL file a motion. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 7(b). Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 10/2/2025. (This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (AGA) (Entered: 10/02/2025)	RECAP
	Oct. 2, 2025	Order
34	Oct. 10, 2025	ORDER granting in part 22 MOTION to Intervene, granting in part 16 MOTION to Intervene. The Court ORDERS the Parties to confer and jointly submit a Rule 26(f) report by October 22, 2025. Signed by District Judge Katherine A Crytzer on 10/10/2025. (DCB) (Entered: 10/10/2025)	Clearinghouse
35	Oct. 10, 2025	Intervenor COMPLAINT, filed by The National Association of Scholars.(Carver, Mark) (Entered: 10/10/2025)	Clearinghouse
36	Oct. 13, 2025	HACU ANSWER to 1 Complaint, by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.(Fajana, Francisca) (Entered: 10/13/2025)	RECAP
37	Oct. 15, 2025	ORDER: The parties are ordered to confer and return the attached form within the time provided.Signed by District Judge Katherine A Crytzer on October 15, 2025. (Attachments: # 1 Consent-Non-Consent Form) (SAC) (Entered: 10/15/2025)	RECAP
38	Oct. 21, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Zee Scout on behalf of Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (Scout, Zee) (Entered: 10/21/2025)	RECAP
39	Oct. 21, 2025	NOTICE OF NONCONSENT by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc. (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 10/21/2025)	RECAP
40	Oct. 22, 2025	REPORT of Rule 26(f) Planning Meeting. (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 10/22/2025)	RECAP
41	Oct. 27, 2025	ORDER SETTING SCHEDULE.Signed by District Judge Katherine A Crytzer on October 27, 2025. (SAC) (Entered: 10/27/2025)	RECAP
42	Nov. 5, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 35 Intervenor Complaint by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Fajana, Francisca) (Entered: 11/05/2025)	RECAP
43	Nov. 6, 2025	Now before the Court is Defendant-Intervenor's Unopposed Motion to Extend Time to File Answer or Otherwise Respond [Doc. 35]. It represents that Plaintiffs and Plaintiff-Intervenors do not oppose the motion [Id. at 2]. For good cause shown, the Court GRANTS the motion [Doc. 35]. Defendant-Intervenor SHALL file a response to the Complaint on or before December 2, 2025. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 11/6/2025. (This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (AGA) (Entered: 11/06/2025)	RECAP
	Nov. 6, 2025	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
44	Dec. 2, 2025	MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Fajana, Francisca) (Entered: 12/02/2025)	RECAP
45	Dec. 2, 2025	MEMORANDUM in Support of Motion re 44 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration)(Fajana, Francisca) (Entered: 12/02/2025) 1 Affidavit Declaration View on PACER	RECAP
46	Dec. 3, 2025	NOTICE of Deficiency (Pro Hac). Attorneys Namratha Somayajula, Grace Hart, & Suzana Kondic are not admitted (See LR 83.5). This matter will be referred to a magistrate judge if a pro hac motion is not filed within 15 days of this Notice. (Copy of Notice mailed to Namratha Somayajula, Grace Hart, & Suzana Kondic) (CAT) (Entered: 12/03/2025)	RECAP
47	Dec. 3, 2025	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Namratha Somayajula ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6174862.) by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Scout, Zee) (Entered: 12/03/2025)	RECAP
48	Dec. 3, 2025	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Suzana Kondic ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6175489.) by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Scout, Zee) (Entered: 12/03/2025)	RECAP
49	Dec. 4, 2025	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Grace Hart ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6176783.) by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Scout, Zee) (Entered: 12/04/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 4, 2025	Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements
	Dec. 4, 2025	Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements is complete regarding document: 47 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Namratha Somayajula (Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6174862.) filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, 48 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Suzana Kondic (Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6175489.) filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (AFW)
50	Dec. 5, 2025	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 44 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction by Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences, The National Association of Scholars. (Carver, Mark) (Entered: 12/05/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 5, 2025	Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements
	Dec. 5, 2025	Clerk's Verification of PHV Requirements is complete regarding document: 49 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Grace Hart ( Filing fee $ 150 receipt number ATNEDC-6176783.) filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (LCK)
51	Dec. 8, 2025	ORDER granting [Docs. 47, 48 & 49] Motions for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. You MUST register as an E-Filer here: https://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/pscof/regWizard.jsf. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 12/8/2025.(This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (AGA) (Entered: 12/08/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 8, 2025	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
	Dec. 9, 2025	Public Docket Annotation
	Dec. 9, 2025	Docket Annotation
	Dec. 9, 2025	Copy of Gavel Order, Doc. 51 mailed to Namratha Somayajula, Suzana Kondic, Grace E. Hart. (CAT)
52	Dec. 22, 2025	ORDER granting in Part the "Motion to Extend Response Deadline" filed by Plaintiff-Intervenors [Doc. 50] with no opposition. See E.D. Tenn. L.R. 7.2. Plaintiff-Intervenors MUST file any response to Defendant-Intervenor's Motion to Dismiss [Doc. 44] by January 30, 2026, unless Defendant-Intervenor files its "forthcoming" Rule 12(c) Motion before January 8. If Defendant-Intervenor does so, Plaintiff-Intervenors MUST file any response to Defendant-Intervenor's Motion to Dismiss [Doc. 44] by the date on which Plaintiff-Intervenors' response to the Rule 12(c) motion is due. See E.D. Tenn. L.R. 7.1. Signed by District Judge Katherine A. Crytzer on 12/22/2025. This docket entry constitutes the complete order of the Court. (RRG). (Entered: 12/22/2025)	RECAP
53	Dec. 22, 2025	STIPULATION / JOINT STIPULATION AND [PROPOSED] ORDER GOVERNING REVISED CASE SCHEDULE by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Hart, Grace) (Entered: 12/22/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 22, 2025	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply
54	Dec. 23, 2025	Administrative Notice to Counsel 53 Stipulation : Please refile Doc. 53 in accordance with ECF Rule 4.8. Requirements due by 12/29/2025. (CAT) (Entered: 12/23/2025)	RECAP
55	Dec. 23, 2025	Joint MOTION to revise the case schedule and extend the first two discovery deadlines by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Attachments: # 1 Other - Proposed Stipulation)(Hart, Grace) (Entered: 12/23/2025)	RECAP
56	Dec. 29, 2025	ORDER Now before the Court is the Joint Stipulation and [Proposed] Order Governing Revised Case Schedule. In light of the parties' agreement, the Court GRANTS the motion [Doc. 53]. Defendants' and Defendant-Intervenor's SHALL file their expert testimony disclosures on or before January 26, 2026. Plaintiffs' and Plaintiff-Intervenor's SHALL file their expert testimony disclosures on or before February 23, 2026. Signed by Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin on 12/29/2025. (This entry constitutes the complete Order of the Court.) (GCF) (Entered: 12/29/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 29, 2025	Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief
57	Jan. 8, 2026	MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Hart, Grace) (Entered: 01/08/2026)	RECAP
58	Jan. 8, 2026	MEMORANDUM in Support of Motion re 57 MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Hart, Grace) (Entered: 01/08/2026)	RECAP
59	Jan. 8, 2026	AFFIDAVIT in Support re 57 MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings // Declaration of Grace E. Hart in Support of Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - H.R. Rep. No. 110-210 (2007), # 2 Exhibit B - Constitutionality of Race-Based Dep't of Educ. Programs, 49 Op. O.L.C. (Dec. 2, 2025), # 3 Exhibit C - Dec. 19, 2025 Department of Education Press Release)(Hart, Grace) (Entered: 01/08/2026) 1 Exhibit A - H.R. Rep. No. 110-210 (2007) View on PACER 2 Exhibit B - Constitutionality of Race-Based Dep't of Educ. Programs, 49 Op. View on PACER 3 Exhibit C - Dec. 19, 2025 Department of Education Press Release View on PACER	RECAP
60	Jan. 20, 2026	MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply by Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 01/20/2026)	RECAP
61	Jan. 20, 2026	Notice of Attorney Withdrawal Attorney Stella Marie Yarbrough terminated. (Yarbrough, Stella) (Entered: 01/20/2026)	RECAP
62	Jan. 23, 2026	Joint MOTION for entry of an order governing the revised case schedule by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Attachments: # 1 Other - Proposed Stipulation)(Hart, Grace) (Entered: 01/23/2026) 1 Other - Proposed Stipulation View on RECAP	RECAP
63	Feb. 11, 2026	Notice of Attorney Withdrawal Attorney Matt Pociask terminated. (Pociask, Matt) (Entered: 02/11/2026)	RECAP
64	March 2, 2026	RESPONSE in Opposition re 57 MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings filed by State of Tennessee, Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit in support of Plaintiffs opposition)(Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 03/02/2026)	RECAP
65	March 2, 2026	RESPONSE in Opposition re 44 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction filed by Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences. (Carver, Mark) (Entered: 03/02/2026)	RECAP
66	March 17, 2026	MOTION for Protective Order by State of Tennessee, Students For Fair Admissions, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Stipulated Protective Order)(Norris, Cameron) (Entered: 03/17/2026) 1 Exhibit Stipulated Protective Order View on RECAP	RECAP
67	March 23, 2026	REPLY to Response to Motion re 44 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction / Defendant-Intervenor's Reply in Support of Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff-Intervenors' Complaint in Intervention filed by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. (Hart, Grace) (Entered: 03/23/2026)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Tennessee

Case Type(s):

Education

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 11, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

State of Tennessee and Students for Fair Admissions.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

State Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

U.S. Department of Education

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Birthright Citizenship

Due Process

Equal Protection

Spending/Appropriations Clauses

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of Tennessee 3:25-cv-00270

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Relief Granted:

Source of Relief:

None yet

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Issues

General/Misc.:

Education

School/University Facilities

Discrimination Basis:

Race discrimination

Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):

Hispanic

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of State of Tennessee v. United States Department of Education, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47937/ (last updated 10/19/2026).