The decision could raise another battle over the consideration of race in university admissions before the US Supreme Court.
A federal judge has rejected a challenge to the United States Naval Academy's practice of considering race in admissions applications, ruling that a diverse military is in the national interest.
In a ruling Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Bennett in Maryland ruled against Students for Fair Admissions, an anti-affirmative action group that has often turned to the courts to challenge the use of race in the a university entries.
“In particular, the Academy has tied the practice of race to producing an officer corps that represents the country it protects and the people it leads,” Bennett wrote. “The Academy has demonstrated that this national security interest is indeed quantifiable and that its admissions program is specifically designed to meet that interest.”
Students for Fair Admissions also brought a case challenging similar practices at Harvard University. Ultimately the US Supreme Court stopped considering race in university admissions when it was rule in favor of the group in June 2023.
But that ruling, although it is very favorable for opponents affirmative actionto suggest that considerations of national security could influence the issue of race and admissions, opening up the possibility of an exemption for military academies.
While opponents of affirmative action argue that such practices unfairly favor some groups over others, advocates point out that race is only one factor among many in co – admission decisions.
They also argue that affirmative action efforts are helping to counter the cumulative influence of minorities over most of US history.
During a two-week trial in September, lawyers for the US Naval Academy defended the consideration of race in admissions by arguing that a diverse military is stronger, more effective and more respected.
Bennett, who was nominated by former President George W Bush, wrote that the defense had “established a strong national security interest in a diverse officer corps” and that considerations of race played only a minor role in admissions decisions.
In a statement expressing disappointment with the decision, Students for Fair Admissions president Edward Blum said the group hopes to take the matter to the Supreme Court.
“We hope that the US military academies will ultimately have to follow the Supreme Court's ban on race in college admissions,” he said.
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