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Calif Court Okays Undocmented Resident as Attorney

By Jeralyn, Section Civil Liberties
Posted on Thu Jan 02, 2014 at 02:29:37 PM EST
Tags: immigration reform (all tags)
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Great news for Sergio Garcia, an undocumented resident who went to law school in the U.S. and wants to be a lawyer. A California court has ruled he can be admitted to the bar as an attorney.

“We conclude that the fact that an undocumented immigrant’s presence in this country violates federal statutes is not itself a sufficient or persuasive basis for denying undocumented immigrants, as a class, admission to the State Bar,” the chief justice wrote.

Garcia waited four years for the ruling. More on his case, and that of Jose Godinez-Samperio at the ABA Journal here.

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    Calif Court Okays Undocmented Resident as Attorney | 10 comments (10 topical)

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    This is great news for the new year. (none / 0) (#1)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 02, 2014 at 07:15:53 PM EST


    What does this mean? (none / 0) (#2)
    by Mikado Cat on Thu Jan 02, 2014 at 09:06:59 PM EST
    Passed the bar, but can't legally work?

    Not that I think we need more lawyers, but anybody smart enough to pass the bar seems like a prime candidate to give full citizenship, whats the issue?

    U.S. citizenship is not granted (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by Peter G on Thu Jan 02, 2014 at 10:17:51 PM EST
    as a reward for academic achievement. Garcia arrived in the U.S. without authorization as a kid.  There is, as you may have heard, no "path to citizenship" for such individuals at this time, without first accepting deportation and getting in the back of the line.

    Parent
    Such a clumsy, punitive process (none / 0) (#7)
    by Mr Natural on Sun Jan 05, 2014 at 05:40:08 PM EST
    The guy exhibits every quality America wants in its citizens.  Determination, stick-to-it-tiveness, etc., the whole kabloona.

    Parent
    the problem is (none / 0) (#8)
    by nyjets on Mon Jan 06, 2014 at 07:43:48 AM EST
    The problem is he is not an American. He is still a foreigner. What is more, he still entered the country illegally.


    Parent
    As for the other part of your question (none / 0) (#6)
    by Peter G on Sat Jan 04, 2014 at 09:45:05 PM EST
    Yes, that's right. Passed the Bar, approved for a license by the California Supreme Court, but under U.S. immigration law he cannot work for any employer, because they cannot legally hire him. (He can be a self-employed lawyer, however. No restriction on clients hiring him.)

    Parent
    %%nor