Justice Department Adds Education Department Investigation to Admissions Lawsuit | News

May 6, 2026 - 03:35

The Justice Department has formally added an investigation by the Education Department to the ongoing lawsuit against Harvard University's admissions practices. The move broadens the scope of the legal challenge, which originally focused on claims of discrimination against Asian American applicants.

According to court filings, the government now seeks to incorporate findings from a separate Education Department inquiry that examined whether Harvard's admissions policies violate federal civil rights law. The investigation reportedly looked at how the university weighs factors like race, legacy status, and extracurricular activities in its holistic review process.

Legal experts say the addition could strengthen the government's case by introducing evidence of systemic bias beyond what was initially alleged. The Justice Department argues that the Education Department's probe uncovered patterns of disadvantage for Asian American students, particularly in the "personal rating" category where applicants are scored on traits like likability and courage.

Harvard has maintained that its admissions process is lawful and narrowly tailored to promote diversity, as allowed under Supreme Court precedent. The university has also pointed to its own internal studies showing no evidence of discrimination against Asian Americans.

The case remains one of the most closely watched challenges to affirmative action in higher education. A trial date has not yet been set.