LOS ANGELES — A state judge has granted final approval of a class-action settlement between A.T. Still University (ATSU) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and other immigrant students who were denied enrollment at ATSU’s California campus because of their immigration status.
MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) filed the lawsuit on behalf of Carlos Alberto Alonso, 29, of San Francisco, a healthcare worker and recipient of DACA, and other prospective students who comprise the settlement class.
“Advanced education is a path to the American Dream,” said Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF president and general counsel. “It should not be denied to immigrants who are prepared to contribute to public health and whose presence in the United States is supported by bipartisan super-majorities.”
As part of the agreement approved on May 21, 2026, ATSU has agreed to create a settlement fund of $92,800 to compensate the class of prospective students affected by the challenged policy. ATSU will also change its policy of denying admission to educational programs based solely on immigration status, eliminating the harm alleged in the complaint for all future applicants.
In addition to payments for each of the 29 class members, the settlement will provide cy pres funds to immigrant-serving non-profit groups. The university will also pay attorney’s fees and other costs.
“We are glad that the court recognized the importance of this case and granted final approval,” said Luis Lozada, MALDEF staff attorney. “This case represents a small step forward for DACA recipients and non-permanent immigrants to be considered on the same grounds as U.S. citizens when applying for a higher education program, regardless of their immigration status.”
Alonso, a disease control investigator at major San Francisco hospitals, considered applying to ATSU’s Central Coast Physician Assistant (CCPA) program in November 2023. According to the lawsuit, the program’s application stated that only U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents could apply. After asking about his eligibility, Alonso was informed that DACA recipients would be rejected because of their “non-permanent” status. Despite his educational and professional experience, Alonso was denied the ability to enroll solely because of his immigration status.
The suit challenged ATSU’s policy as a violation of California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on citizenship and immigration status, among other characteristics.
The lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara.
ATSU is based in Kirkville, Missouri, and has campuses in Arizona and California. It was the world’s first osteopathic medical school and has an average annual enrollment of more than 3,900 students from around the world.
Since 2017, MALDEF has filed more than 20 lawsuits challenging discriminatory enrollment policies and other consumer practices that block immigrants from accessing higher education, financial institutions, and other businesses.