The Supreme Court of the United States overturned "affirmative action" that benefited African American and Latino students in accessing higher education in the country.

This action emerged with the objective of compensating for conditions that discriminate against both groups and to ensure that universities have a more diverse community.

The Court's decision was based on the admission processes of Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, which give significant weight to applicants from underrepresented groups (youth from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, first-generation college attendees, belonging to ethnic and sexual minorities).

The Court stated that processes with these characteristics discriminate against white and Asian American applicants.

Why does it matter? Human rights organizations pointed out that the ruling will reinforce systemic racism.

US President Joe Biden indicated that the Court's decision rolled back decades of progress in the USA.

Professionals in the fields of law and higher education have drawn an analogy between this case and the 2022 case Dobbs v. Jackson, which marked the end of federally supported abortion rights, nearly half a century after the Roe v. Wade ruling.

Despite overturning "affirmative action," the Court still allows for consideration of other diversity criteria in accessing higher education, as reported.