Justice Department announces closure of more than 50 school desegregation cases

The Justice Department announced on September 24 that more than 50 school desegregation cases had been dismissed, citing districts from Waterbury, Connecticut, to Flagler County, Florida. The announcement concerns cases that had remained in federal court for decades; it does not say all the dismissals occurred that day.

Civil Rights Division leader Harmeet Dhillon argued that continued oversight no longer reflects conditions in those districts and diverts money from students. The department says it is reviewing remaining cases individually and will seek dismissal when it concludes a district has achieved unitary status.

In separate September 25 reporting, the Associated Press described concerns from civil-rights attorneys about the retreat from court oversight. NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney Kelly Gardner told AP that time alone does not establish that segregation’s effects have disappeared; school facilities and access to activities can remain relevant.

The Black Angle checked the department’s announcement against AP’s reporting. We have not independently reviewed every dismissal order, and the department’s overall count should not be read as our finding that every affected district has eliminated racial inequality.