A federal judge blocked the Education Department from enforcing a deadline requiring public colleges in 17 states to submit admissions data disaggregated by race and sex. The court said the request was within legal scope but that the rushed timeline and implementation process likely violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The ruling follows repeated delays and reflects broader litigation tied to a 2023 Supreme Court decision striking down race-conscious admissions. The judge’s injunction also set additional timing constraints pending an April 13 hearing for groups seeking to join the suit. For admissions offices and institutional research teams, the decision pauses reporting readiness work and highlights how rapidly changing federal templates can create compliance and governance risks.