Final answer:
The doctrine of suspect classification is used by the modern Supreme Court to evaluate equal protection issues. The Supreme Court has deemed classifications based on race, ethnicity, national origin, and religion as suspect classifications and subject to strict scrutiny. Specific cases like Grutter v. Bollinger and Korematsu v. United States have illustrated the application of the doctrine of suspect classification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The doctrine of suspect classification is used by the modern Supreme Court to evaluate equal protection issues. It refers to a legal framework that places certain classifications of people under heightened scrutiny if they are targeted by discriminatory policies or laws.
The Supreme Court has deemed classifications based on race, ethnicity, national origin, and religion as suspect classifications. These classifications are subject to strict scrutiny, which means the government must prove they have a compelling interest and that the classification is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.
The doctrine of suspect classification has been applied in several specific cases. One notable case is Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), in which the Supreme Court upheld the University of Michigan Law School's admissions program that considered race as a factor in promoting diversity. Another important case is Korematsu v. United States (1944), in which the Supreme Court upheld the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II based on national security concerns. These cases illustrate the application of the doctrine of suspect classification in evaluating equal protection issues.