Court Temporarily Rejects Students for Fair Admissions’ Request Based on “Underdeveloped ” Record

Washington, D.C. — The Supreme Court today temporarily cleared the way for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to continue considering the race of applicants as part of its overall admissions decisions. The decision to reject a request for emergency relief from Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) allows West Point to consider race as part of its overall admissions process as the academy selects the members of its incoming fall class. 

In response to the decision, Democracy Forward President & CEO Skye Perryman issued the following statement: 

“Diversity is a cornerstone of our democracy. Experts have recognized  that diversity in leadership is imperative, including in the context of our national security. Yet, a special interest organization, Students for Fair Admissions, is intent on again attempting to weaken this pillar of our nation’s strength. 

“Diversity makes us safer, it makes us stronger, and it helps our military to be more ready for the many challenges facing us. We are pleased that today the Supreme Court rejected SFFA’s emergency request to preemptively stop West Point from considering applicants’ racial backgrounds as it makes the best overall decisions about which brave cadets will have the opportunity to learn at the storied institution.”

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