The U.S. Department of Education has contacted around 250 employees who were laid off from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to return on a temporary basis. This request, made via an email dated December 5, 2025, aims to manage a significant backlog of civil rights complaints concerning school discrimination, which are crucial for enforcing antidiscrimination laws, particularly for students with disabilities and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

These employees had been on administrative leave following their termination in March, a decision currently under legal dispute. Julie Hartman, the press secretary for legal affairs at the Education Department, stated that there are no plans for the permanent reemployment of these workers at this time, as the agency continues to contest ongoing litigation regarding the layoffs.

This situation highlights ongoing challenges within the OCR, which has historically provided essential support to families unable to afford legal action against educational institutions. The OCR's operational capacity has been severely impacted by significant workforce reductions under the Trump administration, with many regional offices closed and hundreds of staff laid off. Reports indicate that only about 60 of the approximately 450 employees listed by OCR have not received layoff notices in the past year.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon's request for the return of these laid-off employees underscores the difficulties the agency faces in fulfilling its legal obligations. Since the workforce reduction earlier this year, many families have experienced delays in the resolution of their civil rights complaints, and colleges have reported complications with the federal financial aid system. Additionally, McMahon announced plans to transfer key responsibilities to other agencies, raising concerns about potential disruptions to vital educational programs.