The investigation was initiated by the DOJ's Civil Rights Division in March 2025, focusing on concerns over the legality of the program, which was established under a 2021 memorandum of agreement involving the Providence district, RIDE, and the Rhode Island Foundation.

Superintendent Javier Montañez initially defended the program, citing positive impacts on student outcomes and community diversity, though the district and RIDE have not responded publicly to the lawsuit.

This case highlights ongoing legal debates surrounding affirmative action and race-conscious policies in education and employment.

The Rhode Island Foundation contributed $3.1 million to fund the program, but the DOJ states that the district was responsible for application approvals, with the foundation's role being primarily financial.

Critics argue that the lawsuit is a setback for diversity efforts, with some comparing it to historical struggles following Brown v. Board of Education, where Black educators faced job losses.

The US Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Providence public schools over a race-based loan forgiveness program designed to increase diversity among teachers, claiming it constitutes racial discrimination.

While the program aimed to incentivize teachers of color, data shows that 87% of Rhode Island's educators are white, despite a more diverse student body, highlighting ongoing diversity challenges.

The lawsuit seeks to block the program through a permanent injunction and to provide equitable relief to non-minority teachers who were ineligible due to race-based criteria.

The case has been assigned to District Judge Mary S. McElroy and Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan, with no hearings scheduled yet, indicating that legal proceedings are ongoing.

The program's application page remains online but no longer accepts new applications; eligibility includes working at least 135 days annually and making payments toward student loans.

The federal government is seeking a court order to block the program, asserting it violates federal anti-discrimination laws.

Both the Providence district and RIDE expressed surprise at the lawsuit, claiming they had been working in good faith with the DOJ and were unaware of the legal action.