Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs in Minnesota schools will continue after Attorney General Keith Ellison settled a lawsuit with the Trump administration.
The settlement ensures $530 million in federal funds for the DEI programs continue.
It's part of a multi-state lawsuit filed last spring in response to a federal directive to eliminate diversity programs or lose the federal funds.
The money pays to support low-income students and those in foster care, as well as provide special education for English language learners.
In a statment, Ellison said that in Minnesota, "every child deserves the best education."
“I remain deeply disappointed, though entirely unsurprised, that Donald Trump would try to unlawfully cut programs that support students from poor families, students with special needs, and students in foster care or without housing," said Attorney General Ellison. "As Minnesotans, we believe that every child, no matter their race, gender, the wealth of their family, or zip code, deserves the best education possible. That’s why I sued Donald Trump to block those harmful cuts, and why I’m pleased to have won an agreement protecting over half a billion dollars for Minnesota schools every year."
Ellison still has several active lawsuits against the Trump administration, the most recent calling for an end to increased ICE operations in the state, declaring it unconstitutional and a violation of states' rights.
Minnesota, like many other states, acknowledged that it does and will comply with federal nondiscrimination statutes, regulations, and case law, but refused to certify its compliance with the Department’s new requirements, as there is no lawful or practical way to do so given the Department’s vague, contradictory, and unsupported interpretation of Title VI.
Joining Attorney General Ellison in signing the agreement are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.