Problems with voting? Call the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.

(Washington, D.C.)- The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit against Yale University challenging its admissions program and alleging discrimination against white students and some Asian American students. The following Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law experts issued the following the statements: 

David Hinojosa, director of the Educational Opportunities Project: “It is hard not to view this litigation as part of a carefully coordinated campaign with other groups mounting an assault on affirmative action at other major universities. This is a Justice Department that has fully abandoned its mission when it comes to advancing equal educational opportunity and promoting racial diversity. Attempting to divide communities based on such thin allegations—allegations that have already failed in other cases—is merely the Department’s latest chapter to its horrid legacy on opportunity and access for America’s highly talented, yet Black students and other underrepresented students of color. This will not stand under the Lawyers’ Committee’s watch and we look forward to partnering with our allies, yet again, to defend against this ill-conceived lawsuit.”  

Kristen Clarke, president and executive director: “It is not hard to view this litigation as part of a carefully coordinated campaign seeking to terminate racial diversity efforts across our nation’s major colleges and universities. This is a Justice Department that has fully abandoned its mission when it comes to advancing equal educational opportunity and promoting racial diversity. Attempting to divide communities based on such thin allegations- allegations that have already failed in other cases- is merely the Justice Department’s latest chapter to its horrid legacy on opportunity and access for America’s highly talented Black students and other underrepresented students of color. Race-conscious admissions programs are both lawful and indispensable for ensuring institutions are open and available to students from all walks of life, including students of color. We will fight the Justice Department’s ill-conceived effort to tear down racial diversity.” 

 

Background: 

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is the only national civil rights organization involved in all 3 of the major pending federal lawsuits challenging racial diversity efforts. Those cases, mounted by Students for Fair Admissions, involve Harvard University, the University of North Carolina (scheduled for trial in November 2020) and the University of Texas at Austin. These lawsuits seek to challenge lawful, race-conscious admissions programs despite clear Supreme Court precedent recognizing the compelling interest in the educational benefits of diversity. The Justice Department’s latest suit brings the total to 4 pending challenges against race-conscious admissions efforts. 

 

###