DOJ Seeks to Join Lawsuit Alleging Bias Against White Students at LAUSD

The U.S. Department of Justice claims LAUSD's PHBAO program discriminates based on race.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Justice has moved to intervene in a federal lawsuit alleging that the Los Angeles Unified School District discriminates against White students through its decades-old Predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian or Other Non-Anglo (PHBAO) desegregation program. The DOJ claims the PHBAO program provides additional staffing and magnet admission priority to schools based on racial demographics, which it alleges amounts to unconstitutional race-based discrimination.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing debates around affirmative action, racial equity, and desegregation efforts in public education. The DOJ's involvement could have significant implications for LAUSD's policies and the future of similar programs across the country.

The details

According to the DOJ's court filing, LAUSD's PHBAO designation applies to schools where 70% or more of the resident student population is Hispanic, Black, Asian, or other non-Anglo. These PHBAO schools receive additional staffing that lowers the student-teacher ratio, are required to hold more parent-teacher conferences, and give priority points to students in their attendance zones for magnet school admissions. The DOJ argues this amounts to unconstitutional race-based discrimination, stating that 'LAUSD treats attending school with non-Whites as a disadvantage equal to attending an overcrowded school'.

  • The lawsuit was filed last month by the 1776 Project Foundation.
  • The DOJ moved to intervene in the case on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal government agency that enforces civil rights laws and investigates allegations of discrimination.

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)

The public school district serving the city of Los Angeles, California, and one of the largest school districts in the United States.

1776 Project Foundation

A conservative nonprofit organization that filed the lawsuit against LAUSD's PHBAO program.

Pamela Bondi

The Attorney General who announced the DOJ's intervention in the case.

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What’s next

The DOJ's motion to intervene in the case is pending approval by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. If granted, the federal government would become a party to the lawsuit and could pursue the same relief as the plaintiffs, including a court order barring LAUSD from using race-based classifications in school funding or admissions.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around affirmative action, racial equity, and desegregation efforts in public education. The DOJ's involvement could have significant implications for LAUSD's policies and the future of similar programs across the country, as the federal government seeks to challenge what it views as unconstitutional race-based discrimination.