America First Legal (AFL) has initiated legal action against the University of California, accusing the institution of engaging in illegal race-based discrimination. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that the university's "holistic" admissions policy serves as a facade for racial preferences that disadvantage White and Asian applicants.
The complaint claims that this approach to admissions violates federal statutes and the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause by admitting students based on race rather than academic merit. It also argues that race-neutral admissions historically benefitted Black and Hispanic students, while current diversity preferences are detrimental to all students.
The AFL highlights ongoing concerns about discriminatory practices in higher education. According to them, despite Proposition 209 mandating race-neutral standards, efforts have been made within the University of California system to circumvent these requirements.
President Trump's Executive Order 14173 is cited in the case, directing investigations into universities allegedly violating civil rights laws, including the University of California. This order mandates guidance on non-discrimination requirements following a Supreme Court decision involving Harvard College.
This lawsuit is part of AFL's broader campaign against perceived racial discrimination in academia. Previously, AFL has taken legal action against several universities over similar issues concerning diversity and inclusion policies.
Reed D. Rubinstein, Senior Vice President at America First Legal, emphasized that "every American student should be judged based on individual initiative, excellence, and hard work," highlighting what he sees as an industry above federal law constraints.
Ryan Giannetti from America First Legal added that educational opportunities should not be denied due to immutable characteristics and criticized "holistic evaluation" as a cover for unchanged discriminatory policies post-Supreme Court rulings.