The Justice Department under the Trump administration announced it will not defend a longstanding grant program for Hispanic-serving colleges, claiming the program is unconstitutional as it provides racial advantages, leading to a legal challenge from Tennessee and a conservative group. The case questions the constitutionality of race-based funding for colleges with high Hispanic enrollment, amid broader debates over affirmative action and diversity policies.
The U.S. Justice Department announced it will not defend a longstanding grant program for Hispanic-serving colleges, claiming the program's race-based criteria are unconstitutional, amid a lawsuit from Tennessee and a conservative legal group. This move follows a Supreme Court decision against affirmative action, raising questions about the future of such diversity initiatives. The program, created in 1998, provides funding to colleges with at least 25% Hispanic students, but critics argue it offers an unconstitutional racial advantage.
A lawsuit filed by Students for Fair Admissions challenges a federal program supporting Hispanic-Serving Institutions, claiming it discriminates based on ethnicity and violates anti-discrimination laws, amid ongoing legal battles over race-conscious college policies.
