New Mexico Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez issued a statement following the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina, which determined that race and ethnicity can no longer be considered as a factor in college admissions:
“The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action guts decades of progress made in the United States to create access for students of color who, because of historical and present-day inequities and discrimination, are less likely to have the socioeconomic advantage to successfully navigate the college-going process and gain admission into colleges and universities. Omitting this context in college admissions decisions fails to acknowledge the enduring effects of historical oppression toward students of color and limits their ability to access the resources they need to achieve educational equity. Regardless of this decision, New Mexico remains committed to access and empowerment for students of color as we continue to break down barriers by providing tuition-free college through the Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships and providing students with the tools and support they need to succeed.”