The University of California (UC) system is facing a lawsuit from Students Against Racial Discrimination, which claims the school favors Black and Hispanic applicants over Asian-American and white students. Filed in a Santa Ana federal court, the lawsuit alleges UC’s admission policies violate the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and California’s Proposition 209, which bans racial preferences in public education.
UC denies the allegations, stating race and ethnicity data are collected only for statistical purposes and that its admissions comply with Proposition 209.
The lawsuit follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling that struck down affirmative action at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. It also comes as companies scale back diversity initiatives under conservative pressure.
Students Against Racial Discrimination, founded in 2024, advocates for merit-based admissions. The group accuses UC of using “holistic” approaches to close racial gaps in admission rates. It cites UC Berkeley’s admission rates, where Black in-state applicants had a 13% acceptance rate in 2010 (compared to 21% overall), dropping to 10% in 2023 (versus 12% overall).
The lawsuit seeks to block UC from using race in admissions and appoint a court monitor to oversee decisions. Defendants include California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The student group is represented by America First Legal, founded by former Trump official Stephen Miller, and conservative attorney Jonathan Mitchell.
Case: Students Against Racial Discrimination v. Regents of the University of California et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 25-00192.
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