Victim Rights Law Center v. United States Department of Education (2025) – Preliminary Injunction Maintained

Description  

U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction stopping the U.S. Department of Education (Department) from implementing a reduction in force (RIF) in the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), pending the outcome of the case.  The Department has not been successful in challenging the preliminary injunction.  

On August 26, 2025, a Department status report included a process to rehire 264 OCR employees in September through November 2025. The judge distinguishes this preliminary injunction decision from the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in New York v. McMahon, maintaining that the students who are plaintiffs in the Victim Rights Law Center case have “unique harms that they have suffered due to the closure of the OCR.”  The overall litigation is ongoing.

Action to Take

• Monitor the case and related OCR enforcement developments.
• Review and update Title IX and civil rights policies.
• Prepare for potential changes in Department guidance or procedures.
• Consult legal counsel to ensure compliance and readiness for regulatory updates.

Ruling Date

• June 18, 2025 – August 26, 2025

Resources

• Victim Rights Law Center et al. v. United States Department of Education et al., Preliminary Injunction; June 18, 2025
• Victim Rights Law Center et al. v. United States Department of Education et al., ED Status Report; August 26, 2025