The Trump administration has ordered federal agencies to stop using race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin data in hiring, as part of efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

A memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) directed agencies to base choices entirely on merit and job-related criteria, and prohibited the use and broadcast of demographic statistics in recruitment, Reuters reported.

The directive also promoted broader recruiting beyond elite institutions, including as public universities, vocational schools, and religious colleges.