The New York Times reported obtaining an internal document announcing a project on "investigations and possible litigation related to intentional race-based discrimination in colleges and university admissions"
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A Department of Justice spokesperson told Eyewitness News such reports are inaccurate and also said in part: "The posting sought volunteers to investigate one administrative complaint filed by a coalition of 64 Asian-American associations in May 2015 that the prior administration left unresolved."
It added that it's committed to protecting all Americans from all forms of legal race-based discrimination.
American Civil Liberties Union attorney Dennis Parker said the Supreme Court clearly supports considering race in admissions.
"No. 1 is that the Supreme Court has made clear that it is legal and constitutional to consider race as one factor in admissions as long as it's part of a carefully considered program," he said.
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In California, proposition 209 banned race-based affirmative action back in 1996.
The UC system said it has increased its outreach efforts to historically underrepresented groups like Latinos and African-Americans.
University of California, Los Angeles students weighed in on the matter. Student Juliet Lee said minority underrepresentation remains a problem.
"There are still minorities that are underrepresented, even in Asian community, and I think it's better to reanalyze and refocus on what the real problem is," she said.