https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/06/justice-department-ucla-race-admissions
The article says the Trump administration’s United States Department of Justice concluded that the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA illegally used race in admissions, allegedly favoring Black and Hispanic applicants over white and Asian applicants.
Key points from the article:
- The DOJ completed a year-long investigation and claimed UCLA violated both the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action and federal civil-rights law.
- Investigators said admitted Black and Hispanic applicants, on average, had lower GPAs and test scores than admitted white and Asian applicants in 2023–2024. The DOJ argued this showed race was still being considered in admissions decisions.
- The DOJ also criticized application questions that invited students to discuss whether they belonged to marginalized groups and how that affected their lives, arguing these could serve as indirect ways to consider race.
- UCLA denied wrongdoing. The medical school said admissions are “based on merit,” follow the law, and involve a comprehensive review of applicants.
- The dispute is part of a broader Trump administration campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in higher education. The DOJ has also opened investigations into admissions practices at Stanford University, University of California, San Diego, and Ohio State University.
- The article notes that California already banned affirmative action in public university admissions in 1997 through Proposition 209, but universities later adopted “race-neutral” methods intended to maintain diversity.
- The DOJ said it wants a voluntary resolution with UCLA but may pursue legal action if no agreement is reached.
