(MENAFN) The US Justice Department announced on Tuesday that it has reached a resolution in lawsuits challenging the use of race as a factor in admissions at West Point and the Air Force military academies.

This agreement marks a permanent conclusion to such policies at both institutions.

The legal actions were originally brought by Students for Fair Admissions, who argued that the admissions criteria violated constitutional standards.

The cases have now been officially dismissed as part of the settlement.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi reaffirmed the administration’s stance on "eliminating DEI (Diversity, equity, and inclusion) practices throughout the federal government."

She underscored that enrollment in these esteemed military schools "should be based exclusively on merit."

US Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York highlighted the importance of the agreement, stating it ensures "our future military leaders will carry on the greatness that is born of opportunity, effort, and a level playing field."

Earlier in April, federal officials had already declared that the academies would cease factoring in race in their admissions evaluations.

In a related development, the Justice Department also concluded similar litigation involving the US Naval Academy earlier this year, obtaining assurances that it, too, would permanently end race-based admissions.

With these developments, all three of the nation’s major service academies have committed to using only merit-based criteria when selecting new cadets and midshipmen.

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