NEW YORK, NY June 30, 2023 – In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in both Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina, Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages, Chair of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus, released the following statement:

“The members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus express deep concern about the potential ramifications of these decisions. We firmly believe that the use of race as a factor in college admissions is essential for promoting equal opportunities and dismantling systemic barriers for marginalized communities. Affirmative action has been a vital tool in leveling the playing field and providing access to education for historically underrepresented groups.

We echo the sentiments of Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson, who rightly emphasized that deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life. The activist majority on the Supreme Court has chosen to disregard precedent and target initiatives that have had a positive impact on generations of communities of color. The Court ignores legacy admission and other forms of affirmative action that benefit majority white and wealthy applications. It is asinine that we are still litigating the importance of initiatives like affirmative action in this modern time, which only underscores the pervasive nature of racism in our nation.

While we are disheartened by these rulings, we acknowledge that Congress still has the power to act. We call on our congressional leaders to prioritize the protection of long-held pathways to social mobility and economic empowerment. We must continue to fight for the preservation of affirmative action and ensure that all students, regardless of race or background, have equal opportunities to succeed."