University of Miami Under Investigation for Discrimination Against U.S.-born Students

University of Miami. Credit: Google Maps

CORAL GABLES, Florida – The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has initiated an investigation into the University of Miami for potential national origin discrimination related to its scholarship programs.

The probe focuses on the U Dreamers Program, which provides financial aid to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and undocumented high school seniors and transfer students, allegedly excluding U.S.-born students in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The investigation stems from complaints filed by the Legal Insurrection Foundation’s Equal Protection Project, which argues that such scholarships discriminate against American-born students.

“Protecting equal access to education includes protecting the rights of American-born students,” said William A. Jacobson, founder of the Equal Protection Project.

Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor stated, “Neither the Trump Administration’s policies nor the Civil Rights Act of 1964’s prohibition on national origin discrimination permit universities to deny our fellow citizens the opportunity to compete for scholarships because they were born in the United States.”

The University of Miami is among five institutions under scrutiny, alongside the University of Louisville, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of Michigan, and Western Michigan University, for similar scholarship programs targeting DACA or undocumented students. The OCR will also examine other scholarships at these universities that may exclude students based on race or color.