Mississippi DEI Ban in Public Education Blocked
By Gabby Cox
A Mississippi law banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public education was blocked August 18 by U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate.
House Bill 1193 prohibits public schools from hiring employees based on race, sex, gender or national origin. It also prevents schools from creating diversity, equity and inclusion offices, outlaws programs deemed divisive, and allows the state to cut funding for repeat violations.
The ruling temporarily prevents the state from enforcing House Bill 1193 until a permanent solution is determined. Mississippi universities now can decide whether to comply with the new policies or continue to enforce the ban. Judge Wingate said the law is likely unconstitutional and fails to treat speech in a viewpoint-neutral manner.
Hannah Katz, a first-generation student at the University of Southern Mississippi, said she understands how lacking connections and resources can make it difficult to access higher education.
“I am a first-generation college student and it’s a little bit more difficult for me to be able to get opportunities, because if I don’t have those connections and the resources to be able to come to college, it would make me not be here,” Katz said.
USM currently offers several programs to support first-generation students. Eagle First is a student organization that provides connections, resources and guidance for navigating campus life. The university also partners with TRIO Student Support Services, a grant-funded program for students who are first-generation, income-eligible or have a documented disability, and the federally funded McNair Scholars Program, which supports students who are first-generation, income-eligible or underrepresented in graduate education.
Katz said the DEI ban initially caused fear among students.
“It scares me that other people that maybe don’t have the connections, don’t have the resources might not be able to come pursue a higher education,” she said.
In July 2024, USM renamed its Diversity and Inclusion Office to the Office of Community and Belonging. On April 11, 2025, students held a protest march opposing DEI bans. Student Robyn Stopp said the original passage of the bill caused concern.
“When they had the initial law or bill passed, it was really scary for everyone because we didn’t know what that was 100% going to look like,” Stopp said.
Since the federal block, she said, students have felt relief.
“But when I saw recently that they put the preliminary block, I felt a little bit of joy and kind of relief,” Stopp said.
The temporary restraining order will remain in place until Judge Wingate rules on a preliminary injunction to prevent enforcement of the law while the litigation continues in court.
