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California Court Allows Undocumented Immigrant to Become Attorney

  •  Katie Orr 
Thursday, January 2, 2014 | Sacramento, CA
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 OmiB91 / Flickr
 

OmiB91 / Flickr

Sergio Garcia, of Chico, can now practice law in California. The court cited a new state law as the reason for its ruling.

That law allows the court to license undocumented immigrants as attorneys. It was inspired by Garcia, who was first brought to the United States from Mexico as a baby. He eventually graduated from law school in California and passed the bar exam. But he could not practice because he is not a citizen.

Calif. Supreme Court Press Release

Garcia said the new law is a source of hope.

“Not only for undocumented immigrants, but just for our youth in general," he said. "I think it’s a wonderful thing, it sends a wonderful message that dreams can become a reality, that the American dream is still alive and well in California.” 

Garcia may still face some challenges from the federal government. The Department of Justice has opposed his efforts to be licensed.

 

Should a person in the U.S. illegally be granted a law license and be able to practice law?
Yes
No
 
 

 

More New Laws

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    July 1, 2014

    (AP) -- California's minimum wage is rising to $9 per hour, providing workers with the first increase since 2008.

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    California state employees will be getting the first pay raise many of them have had in years starting Tuesday.

  • FLICKR / Kyle Lichtenwald

    California's Paid Family Leave Program Expansion Starts July 1

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    A law that extends California’s paid family leave benefit to people caring for grandchildren, grandparents, siblings and in-laws will go into effect July 1. The original law took effect on the same day 10 years ago.

  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Capitol Roundup: New Sentencing Ballot Measure, State Help For Food Industry

    June 26, 2014

    California voters will decide this fall whether some low-level drug and theft offenses should be tried as misdemeanors instead of felonies. Meanwhile, the Legislature and Board of Equalization are pushing policies to help the food industry.

  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    New Workplace Protections for Domestic Violence, Stalking, Sexual Abuse Victims

    January 6, 2014

    Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking in California no longer have to worry about being fired or discriminated against at their workplace under a new state law now in effect.

 

See All New Laws


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    Related Stories

  •  OmiB91 / Flickr

    Law License Granted To Immigrant Living In U.S. Illegally

    Thursday, January 2, 2014
    UPDATE 10:48 A.M. (AP) -- The California Supreme Court has granted a law license to a man living in the United States illegally who graduated from law school and passed the state bar exam.

 newlaws2014capitol

Katie Orr

Former Health Care Reporter

Katie Orr reported for Capital Public Radio News through December 2015.  Read Full Bio 

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