The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday accused Duke University School of Law of unlawfully considering race in its admissions process, marking the latest enforcement action under federal civil rights laws.
Key developments:
- The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division issued a findings letter alleging that Duke Law School’s admissions practices for the classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025 violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by discriminating against white and Asian applicants.
- The department stated that the school used race-based proxies, including personal essays and first-generation student status, to favor Black and Hispanic applicants, effectively undermining its stated commitment to race-neutral admissions.
Duke’s response
Duke University acknowledged receipt of the DOJ’s findings letter and stated it is reviewing the conclusions while reaffirming its commitment to compliance with the law. A university spokesperson said in a statement: “We are reviewing the letter and its conclusions carefully. Duke is committed to complying with the law and will continue to do so in a manner that is consistent with our academic mission.”
Legal and policy context
The DOJ’s allegations stem from a compliance review initiated under the Trump administration, which has prioritized enforcement of the 2023 Supreme Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. That decision banned race-conscious admissions policies in higher education, including affirmative action programs.
In a news release, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division stated: “Duke Law School doesn’t get a free pass to discriminate against white and Asian students simply because it thinks it has good intentions. Using ‘diversity’ essay questions to identify preferred races for admission is still illegal discrimination based on race, and this Department is committed to eliminating it everywhere we find it, including in our nation’s law schools.”
Admissions practices under scrutiny
The DOJ’s findings letter, as described in public statements, indicated that Duke Law School’s admissions process systematically boosted the prospects of Black and Hispanic applicants while reducing opportunities for highly qualified white and Asian candidates. The department did not provide full details of its methodology but referenced the use of essay prompts and demographic considerations as evidence of indirect race-based discrimination.
Broader implications for higher education
The case is part of a wider federal crackdown on race-based admissions policies following the Students for Fair Admissions decision. The DOJ has previously targeted other institutions, signaling an intent to expand oversight of admissions practices across universities. Legal experts note that the enforcement could lead to additional investigations or lawsuits against other schools with similar policies.
Duke Law School has not publicly detailed how it plans to adjust its admissions process in response to the DOJ’s findings. The university’s statement emphasized alignment with legal requirements while preserving its academic values.