DOJ Joins Lawsuit Against UCLA Medical School
The Department of Justice (DOJ) stepped in on Wednesday regarding a lawsuit targeting the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine. This case raises concerns about the school’s alleged use of race in its admissions process.
A class action lawsuit filed by the organization Do No Harm (DNH) in May 2025 claims that UCLA’s admissions practices incorporate race under the pretense of “holistic” evaluations. The DOJ’s complaint, which aims to join the lawsuit, challenges the legality of these actions, emphasizing that no school should consider race in admissions.
The lawsuit argues that after years of moving away from racial preferences in education, both the nation and its highest court expect universities to adopt a colorblind admissions approach. It asserts that the only lawful method for public medical schools to enhance diversity is by selecting the most qualified applicants, regardless of race.
The DOJ indicated that race-based admissions compromise civil rights protections and lead to lower standards, potentially impacting the overall performance of practicing doctors. It raised a notable concern that patients might question the qualifications of minority doctors who benefitted from preferential admissions compared to their peers of different races.
One part of the complaint even mentioned a troubling sentiment; it suggested that minority doctors carry a persistent shadow over their qualifications, regardless of their actual capabilities.
DNH’s filing also alleges that UCLA’s application process prompts candidates to disclose their race, which admissions officers then discuss openly. It was noted that prospective students are questioned about their identification with marginalized groups and the impacts of such disparities on their lives.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action policies in 2023, UCLA expressed intentions to maintain its focus on “diversity” through different strategies. Despite this, the school’s minority enrollment has reportedly risen, albeit with a decline in Asian student admissions, in contrast to other institutions adopting race-neutral approaches.
The previous administration had sought to cut $584 million in federal funding to UCLA over allegations of racism and insufficient action against anti-Semitism. However, a federal judge intervened to protect the funding.
DNH’s Executive Director, Christina Rasmussen, stated that the DOJ’s involvement in this case is crucial due to its societal importance. She expressed eagerness for the DOJ to investigate UCLA’s apparent continuation of race-based admissions, which runs counter to constitutional principles and Supreme Court decisions promoting fair admissions.
The DOJ communicated that its intervention highlights the significance of eliminating racial discrimination in the university system for society as a whole.
A spokesperson from UCLA’s School of Medicine remarked that the institution does not comment on ongoing litigation but maintains compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws and is committed to equitable admission processes.
