Attorney generals from states including California, Maryland, New York, and more have filed lawsuits against Education Secretary Betsy Devos. Devos’ role in the Department of Education has been highly controversial since she was appointed by Trump. Due to her lack of experience and large career opposition to public schooling, many have been doubtful of her abilities to successfully run the Department of Education. Amongst concerns, many have worried Devos does not see it as a priority to help college students with loan forgiveness. To read more about how Devos' views and policy affect college students, read here.

18 states and Washington D.C. are accusing Devos of breaking federal law for her decision to freeze the Borrower Defense Rule, which helps students who were cheated by fraudulent colleges get loan forgiveness.   The rules would hold colleges more accountable for fraud, and make the path easier for students cheated by these establishments to be reimbursed.  The rules, first established by President Obama, were supposed to go in effect on July 1st, until Devos decided to freeze the rules.  Masscahussets Attorney General remarked, "Since Day 1, Secretary DeVos has sided with for-profit school executives against students and families drowning in unaffordable student loans.” Many say that this move proves Devos is not committed to tackling the problem of for-profit colleges that take advantage of students.

Among the states suing Devos are California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Virginia.

The 18 states are not the only people suing Devos for her inaction. Two students from the New England Institute of Art who were left with heavy debt and few opportunities felt deceived by the school, and according to NBC News, were “counting on protections in the new rules to sue the New England Institute of Art.” They are being represented by Public Citizen, a liberal think tank. Their lawsuit just adds to the political pressure Devos and the Department of Education is facing.