Cruz, Steel lead brief in Harvard race admissions Supreme Court case: 'Heavy toll on Asian-American students'

Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., says as an Asian American leader, she must 'continue the fight' against Harvard's 'unfair' admissions practices.

EXCLUSIVE: Senate and House Republicans joined together to file a brief in a closely watched case before the Supreme Court dealing with Harvard and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's (UNC) use of race in admissions decisions, which they argue is illegal.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Calif., are leading a joint amicus brief signed by 82 Republican lawmakers in the case brought by Students for Fair Admissions. The Republicans write in the brief that Harvard and UNC's admissions policies "intentionally divide applicants by race."

"Race-conscious admissions decisions inflict a heavy toll on Asian-American students. Treating them differently because of their race is a stark departure from equal protection decisions issued early on by this Court, which guarded Chinese immigrants from racial prejudice. And the burdens imposed on petitioner illustrate a wider trend. Asian-Americans are increasingly victimized by discriminatory practices," the lawmakers say in their brief.

REP. MICHELLE STEEL INTRODUCES BILL TO HOLD COLLEGES ACCOUNTABLE FOR USING 'PERSONALITY TRAITS' IN ADMISSIONS

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Calif., are leading a joint amicus brief signed by 82 Republican lawmakers in the case brought by Students for Fair Admissions. ((Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Bloomberg via Getty Images)/(Photo by Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images))

"In my office, on the mantle above the fireplace, sits a bust of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It’s a daily reminder of the fight for Justice and that our