Sunday, July 1, 2012

Illegal Aliens await Supreme Court decision to practice law in U.S.

So, as the Department of Justice announces that they will no longer pursue or deport illegal immigrants until they have committed a crime, we also have to learn of this offense.  Excuse me, but an “illegal” alien has already committed a crime and if the judicial system then allows an illegal alien to “legally” practice law in the United States, how’s that going to work out for law abiding citizens?

YiT ~  Shelly


Judges in several states are preparing to answer the latest question in the complex world of immigration: Can an illegal immigrant legally practice law in the USA?

By Renee C. Byer, for USA TODAY

Law school graduate Sergio Garcia has passed the California state bar exam but has been prevented from practicing law because his family entered the country illegally.

Law school graduate Sergio Garcia has passed the California state bar exam but has been prevented from practicing law because his family entered the country illegally.

Illegal immigrants brought to the USA as children, and who later graduated law schools in California, Florida and New York, are trying to gain entry to their state bars so they can work as attorneys.

Sergio Garcia's family illegally crossed into the USA from Mexico when he was 17 months old, and he went on to graduate from Chico State University and Cal Northern School of Law. He took the state bar exam in July 2009 and passed it but was told he could not join the state bar — a standard requirement for all practicing attorneys — because he had checked a box on his application that said he was in the country illegally.

The California Supreme Court asked for opinions on the question and could hold oral arguments in Garcia's case before making a decision. The California State Bar told the court this month that Garcia and others like him should be allowed to be licensed, but it is awaiting guidance from the Supreme Court.

Though the ruling could apply only to Garcia, the 35-year-old said the court's opinion could go a long way in determining the fate of others like him.

"This case stopped being about me a long time ago," said Garcia, who is working alongside his father as a beekeeper until the case is resolved. "The outcome is going to have a major impact on future generations of attorneys and people in my situation. At least they will have good guidance."

Click here to read the full story.

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