A federal court upheld the Naval Academy’s race-conscious admissions, rejecting a challenge by the group behind the Supreme Court’s 2023 affirmative action ban.

A federal judge ruled on Dec. 6 that the US Naval Academy can keep using race in its admissions process in a limited fashion.

A federal judge has rejected a challenge to the Naval Academy’s use of race in its admissions practices, ruling that the school has “established a compelling national security interest” in maintaining diversity within the US military.

The lawsuit was the latest in a series by a prominent anti-affirmative action group that is seeking to overturn the use of racial preferences in the nation’s military academies.

Attorneys for the school argued that prioritizing diversity in the military makes it stronger, more effective and more widely respected.

National advocacy group Students for Fair Admissions is suing the U.S. Air Force Academy, alleging the school’s use of race in admissions is unconstitutional, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in the District of Colorado this week.

A group called “Students for Fair Admissions” filed this lawsuit in the District Court of Colorado. Saying it's unconstitutional for the Air Force Academy to use race in their admissions - violating the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.

An anti-affirmative action nonprofit says the Air Force Academy’s race-based admission policy violates the constitutional right to equal protection. Students for Fair Admission is asking a federal judge in Colorado to block the academy from considering race when making admission decisions and declare the policy unconstitutional.