WASHINGTON – Today, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina, asserting race cannot be considered in the college admissions process. In response, Latino Victory Project Executive Director, Sindy Benavides, issued the following statement:
“The latest decision by the Supreme Court puts a heavy burden on the future of Latinos and communities of color. The weight of the extreme majority justices has undermined our children’s educational dreams. This ruling sets back decades of tough battles to right the wrongs of racial disparities throughout our society. While Hispanics are enrolling at U.S. colleges and universities at a record high, prospective students will have to navigate yet another hurdle through the admissions process.
“When California banned affirmative action in 1998, it consequently affected the economic mobility of young Latinos and people of color. With this ruling, the Supreme Court has set a course of action that will reverberate for generations. Latinos understand the critical aspect affirmative action plays in their lives – 68% favor affirmative action programs. Let us not forget every 30 seconds, a Latino turns 18 years old, making them of voting age. With their futures directly impacted, Latino Victory is committed to engaging Latino voters and leaders who will defend their educational goals and move our country forward.”
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Latino Victory Project develops a pipeline of Latino leaders and shapes public discourse to reflect the growing influence of the Latino community while also building cross-constituency alliances that can move the country forward.
