Supreme Court Allows West Point’s Race-Based Admissions to Continue

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to intervene in the U.S. Military Academy at West Point’s race-based admissions program, despite challenges from Students for Fair Admissions.

By yourNEWS Media Staff

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday opted not to obstruct the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from proceeding with its race-based admissions program. This decision comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed by the anti-affirmative action group, Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA). The group, which emerged victorious in the landmark case of SFFA v. Harvard—declaring race-based admissions processes at universities unconstitutional—had initiated legal action against West Point in September 2023 for its adherence to such practices.

On January 27, the court dismissed an emergency application to halt the program, attributing the decision to an “undeveloped record.” The court’s statement clarified, “The application for a writ of injunction pending appeal presented to Justice Sotomayor and by her referred to the Court is denied. The record before this Court is underdeveloped, and this order should not be construed as expressing any view on the merits of the constitutional question.” This follows a previous denial of an injunction by Judge Philip Halpern of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, thus allowing West Point’s admissions practices to remain unaltered.

This legal challenge is one of two ongoing cases SFFA has brought against service academies over race-based admissions, including another lawsuit against the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. SFFA President Edward Blum expressed his disappointment over the decision, stating, “It is disappointing that the young men and women who apply to West Point for the foreseeable future will have their race used as a factor to admit or reject them.” Blum emphasized the adverse impact on merit-based selection, arguing that classifying and preferring applicants based on skin color over abilities devalues the principle of equal opportunity.

For detailed information, the Supreme Court’s full decision can be reviewed here.

BREAKING: Supreme Court *denies* anti-affirmative action organization’s emergency plea to block West Point’s use of race in admissions. No noted dissents. pic.twitter.com/FAKLEUu2sJ

— Steven Mazie (@stevenmazie) February 2, 2024