In previous posts, we have discussed the recent changes in U.S. immigration policy that now allows young undocumented immigrants who arrived as children and who have no criminal history to stay and work in the United States.
This story is how that change has affected one undocumented immigrant living in Florida. He moved to Florida with his family from Mexico when he was nine-years-old. They came here on visitor’s visas, but overstayed and never went back.
The man is now 25-years-old and has recently graduated from law school at Florida State and passed the Florida Bar exam. He was hoping to be on his way to becoming a licensed practicing attorney. However, he was denied his license to practice law based on his undocumented status while the Florida Board of Bar Examiners awaited an advisory opinion on whether an illegal immigrant can be licensed to practice law.
Now, in a case of first impression, the Florida Supreme Court will make a determination concerning this man’s legal challenge and the application of the new immigration policy.
The man claims that under the new administrative order he should now be eligible to receive his attorney’s license because his immigration status should be legal, and he should be authorized to work in the U.S. He has ample support for the granting of his law license, and there has been no one opposing his admission to the bar.
Are there still grounds for denying this undocumented immigrant admission to the Florida Bar? This is the subject of the motion currently before the Florida Supreme Court.
Source: Fox News, “Immigrant Says Obama Policy Allows Him to Be Lawyer,” July 10, 2012
