The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched investigations into five universities for allegedly offering scholarships specifically to undocumented immigrants enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The department confirmed the investigations in a statement released Wednesday.
DACA, established during the Obama administration, provides temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. It also enables them to pursue higher education and employment opportunities in the country.
The OCR’s probe is centered on scholarship programs benefiting DACA recipients and other minority groups, including LGBTQ+ students of color, as well as Latin or Hispanic, African American, and Native American students. The schools under review are:
University of Louisville
University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Miami
University of Michigan
Western Michigan University
According to the Department of Education, the investigations will examine whether these universities are awarding scholarships exclusively to DACA or undocumented students in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin by institutions that receive federal funding.
Complaints Sparked by Conservative Advocacy Group
The investigations stem from complaints filed by the Equal Protection Project, a program of the conservative nonprofit Legal Insurrection Foundation.
We are encouraged that the Department of Education’s OCR is acting on our complaints regarding scholarships that excluded these students.”
Responses from the Universities
The universities named in the investigation have begun responding to the federal inquiry.
Attempts to reach the University of Nebraska Omaha, the University of Miami, and Western Michigan University for comment were unsuccessful.
Broader Role of the Office for Civil Rights
The OCR enforces federal civil rights laws and holds educational institutions accountable for preventing discrimination, including antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and violations against students with disabilities. However, the office is currently facing operational challenges due to layoffs and voluntary buyouts, raising concerns among employees about its capacity to process ongoing investigations effectively.
Earlier this year, the OCR sent letters to dozens of universities warning them of potential consequences for failing to adequately address allegations of antisemitic harassment and discrimination.
The outcome of the current investigations into the five universities remains uncertain, but they could result in corrective measures or penalties if Title VI violations are confirmed.