On April 15, 2025, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The suit challenges recent federal directives that threaten to withdraw funding from educational institutions implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The NAACP contends that the Department's actions violate civil rights by undermining equal educational opportunities for Black students and misinterpreting federal laws and Supreme Court rulings. Central to the dispute is a February 14, 2025, "Dear Colleague" letter from the Department, instructing federally funded schools to cease race-based considerations in areas such as admissions and scholarships, citing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 2023 Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which ended race-conscious admissions.

An April 3 follow-up communication demanded that schools certify their compliance with the new directives. Non-compliance could result in the loss of federal funding. This led to the cancellation of DEI activities in some districts, such as Waterloo, Iowa.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson criticized the move, stating that it enables racial discrimination. He emphasized that the Department's actions misinterpret federal laws and Supreme Court rulings, thereby undermining equal educational opportunities for Black students.

In response to the "Dear Colleague" letter, a coalition of over sixty civil rights organizations, including the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), and the National Women's Law Center, called on the Department to rescind the letter. They argue that the letter misinterprets federal civil rights law and threatens equal educational opportunities.

State officials have also expressed resistance to the Department's directives. In Illinois, officials argue that their DEI efforts comply with federal and state laws. Mayor Brandon Johnson threatened legal action against the Department, emphasizing the state's commitment to teaching Black history and culturally relevant curricula.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Education Association (NEA) have filed a lawsuit against the Department, alleging that the "Dear Colleague" letter unlawfully restricts speech and lacks clear definitions, leading to potential arbitrary enforcement. The lawsuit argues that the Department has overstepped its legal authority by imposing unfounded and vague legal restrictions that violate due process and the First Amendment, limiting academic freedom, and impermissibly dictating what educators can teach and what students are allowed to learn.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs receiving federal financial assistance. The Department's directives interpret this to mean that any race-based considerations in educational programs are unlawful. The 2023 Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard ruled against race-conscious admissions policies, stating they violate the Equal Protection Clause. The Department's guidance extends this ruling to other aspects of educational programs.

The Department's actions have led to the cancellation of DEI initiatives in various educational institutions, potentially affecting programs designed to support underrepresented students. Critics argue that these directives may reverse progress made toward educational equity, particularly for Black, Latino, and Native American students who benefit from DEI programs.

The outcome of the NAACP's lawsuit and similar legal challenges could set significant precedents regarding the interpretation of civil rights laws and the permissibility of DEI programs in educational settings. As the legal battles unfold, educational institutions and civil rights organizations continue to advocate for policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools across the nation.