Story perspectives

DOJ accuses UCLA med school of discriminating whites, Asians

5/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Justice Department alleges the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA discriminated against white and Asian applicants by favoring Black and Latino candidates in the 2023-2025 admissions.
Investigators cited internal emails and a memo urging committee chairs to ensure BIPOC representation while noting associate dean Jennifer Lucero pressured the committee with intimidation.
The department warned it will pursue legal action if UCLA does not reach a voluntary settlement.

History

Historical Context

The 1978 Supreme Court ruling in Regents v. Bakke, a 5-4 decision authored by Justice Thurgood Marshall, struck down racial quotas but allowed narrowly tailored affirmative-action factors. That precedent underpins the Justice Department’s suit against a UC medical school, accusing dean Jennifer Lucero of favoring Black and Latino candidates. The case echoes the 2023 Students for Fair Admissions decision that ended quota-based admissions nationwide.

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Story summary

The Justice Department alleges the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA discriminated against white and Asian applicants by favoring Black and Latino candidates in the 2023-2025 admissions.
Investigators cited internal emails and a memo urging committee chairs to ensure BIPOC representation while noting associate dean Jennifer Lucero pressured the committee with intimidation.
The department warned it will pursue legal action if UCLA does not reach a voluntary settlement.

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