US Department of Education Faces Lawsuit Over Massive Layoffs Affecting Civil Rights Office

In March 2025, the U.S. Department of Education initiated a significant reduction-in-force, terminating approximately 1,300 employees, nearly halving its workforce. This downsizing notably impacted the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), where nearly half of its staff—around 240 employees—were laid off. Consequently, seven of the OCR's twelve regional offices, including those in New York, Chicago, and Dallas, were closed. Prior to the layoffs, the OCR was already managing a substantial backlog of over 20,000 civil rights complaints.

The OCR is responsible for enforcing federal civil rights laws in educational institutions, addressing complaints related to discrimination based on disability, race, religion, and sexual violence. Following the layoffs, a coalition of Democratic attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia filed a federal lawsuit in Boston, challenging the Department's actions. The lawsuit argued that the staff reductions effectively dismantled the Department's ability to fulfill its statutory responsibilities. As a result of the ensuing litigation, a court-ordered temporary block was placed on the terminations, leading to approximately 299 OCR employees being placed on paid administrative leave during the ongoing legal proceedings.

By December 2025, the backlog of unresolved civil rights complaints had escalated to over 25,000 cases. In response, on December 6, 2025, the Department announced the temporary recall of the affected attorneys to address the mounting backlog. Staff were instructed to report to their regional offices by December 15, 2025. Despite this recall, the Department indicated its intention to continue pursuing the planned staff reductions.

The significant reduction in OCR staff has raised concerns about the Department's capacity to effectively enforce civil rights protections in educational settings. The backlog of complaints suggests that many students and families may experience prolonged delays in the resolution of discrimination cases, potentially impacting their educational experiences and rights. Advocates fear that the diminished oversight could lead to decreased compliance with federal civil rights laws by educational institutions.

The scale of these layoffs and the subsequent administrative leave of OCR staff are unprecedented in the Department's history. While previous administrations have implemented budget cuts and staff reductions, the closure of multiple regional offices and the substantial decrease in personnel dedicated to civil rights enforcement represent a significant departure from past practices.

As the Department continues to navigate legal challenges and operational constraints, the effectiveness of its civil rights enforcement remains under scrutiny. The temporary recall of attorneys is a step toward addressing the immediate backlog, but the long-term implications of the staff reductions on the Department's ability to uphold civil rights protections in education are yet to be fully realized.