In First-of-Its-Kind Ruling, Immigrant from Mexico Gets Law License in California Associated Press
go to original January 3, 2014

Mexico immigrant approved to practice law in California (Los Angeles Times)

SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court granted a law license on Thursday to a Mexican man who has lived in America illegally for two decades — a ruling that advocates hope will open the door to millions of immigrants seeking to enter other professions such as medicine, accounting and teaching.

The unanimous decision means Sergio Garcia, who attended law school and passed the state bar exam while working in a grocery store and on farms, can begin practicing law immediately.

It is the latest in a string of legal and legislative victories for people who are in the country illegally. Others include establishing a path to citizenship for many young people and the granting of driver's licenses in some states.

The court sided with state officials in the case, which pitted them against the White House over a 1996 federal law that bars illegal immigrants from receiving professional licenses from government agencies or with the use of public money, unless state lawmakers vote otherwise.

Bill Hing, a law professor at the University of San Francisco, said the court made clear the only reason it granted Garcia's request is that California recently approved a law that specifically authorizes the state to give law licenses to immigrants who are here illegally.

The law, inspired by Garcia's situation, took effect on Wednesday.

Read the rest at Trib Live

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