Born in New York to Indian immigrant parents, Vanita Gupta is a civil rights attorney who gained national prominence leading the successful effort to overturn the drug convictions of 38 people in Tulia, Texas. She served as Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division under President Obama (2014–2017). In 2021, President Biden nominated her as Associate Attorney General, the third-highest position in the U.S. Department of Justice, making her the first woman of color to hold that office. She was confirmed by the Senate 51–49.
