Federal Judge Rules DeVos Delay of Obama-Era Student Loan Forgiveness Is Illegal

U.S. District Court Judge Randolph Moss ruled that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ delays of Obama-era loan forgiveness policies for defrauded students were illegal, Politico reports. Judge Moss sided with consumer advocates and 19 attorneys general after they sued the Trump administration for delaying “borrower defense to repayment,” or relief for students who took out loans to attend schools that are now closed or accused of fraud. DeVos wanted to delay those regulations until July 1, 2019, so that her Education Department could have time to rewrite the policies, but the 57-page decision called the move “unlawful” and “arbitrary and capricious.” Judge Moss said he would rule on how to proceed with the case on Friday. In July, the Trump administration published its proposed changes to the rules, which would limit the number of students who would qualify for loan forgiveness.