The Supreme Court ruling that gutted civil rights enforcement, and why it still affects kids today.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What Alexander v. Sandoval (2001) decided and why it matters
- Why Martha Sandoval sued Alabama over its English-only driver's exam
- How the Court eliminated private disparate-impact lawsuits under Title VI
- What the ruling means for minority, immigrant, and disabled students
- How schools and administrators were affected by the decision
- What advocacy groups and Congress are doing to restore lost rights

Alexander v. Sandoval is a landmark 2001 Supreme Court case that dramatically narrowed civil rights enforcement. 

In a 5-4 ruling, Justice Scalia held that private individuals cannot sue to enforce disparate-impact regulations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, victims must now prove intentional discrimination or rely on federal agencies. 

The case arose when Martha Sandoval challenged Alabama's English-only driver's license exam policy. 

The ruling hit children hard, eliminating legal tools used to protect minority, immigrant, and disabled students from unintentionally discriminatory school policies. Advocacy groups have since shifted toward administrative complaints and are pressing Congress to restore private rights of action.

Learn more about Alexander v. Sandoval by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/09/alexander-v-sandoval/