Aug 2, 2017

Internal WH memo suggests project against affirmative action

Pablo Martinez Monsivai / AP

An internal memo from the White House, obtained by NYT, suggests the Department of Justice is launching a new project to investigate potential discrimination against white students via affirmative action policies, the Times notes.

  • The document outlines the DOJ project regarding "investigations and possible litigation related to intentional race-based discrimination in college and university admissions."
  • Critics of affirmative action say that the policies give minority students an unfair advantage over white students who have similar or sometimes higher test scores.
  • Lawyers interested in helping with this project were asked to submit their resumes by Aug. 9, per the memo, which means the project could start up as the next school year is beginning.

Go deeper: How minority students fare in states that banned affirmative action, from FiveThirtyEight.

Go deeper