Illegal immigrant seeks acceptance into Florida Bar. (visa, license, employment)

[Viridian Ideals]

DREAM on hold: Supreme Court considers Florida Bar admission for undocumented immigrant - Sun Sentinel

A native of Mexico who entered the United States legally with his parents 16 years ago on a tourist visa, Godinez-Samperio is a graduate of the Florida State University College of Law, the valedictorian of the Armwood High School class of 2004, an Eagle Scout — and an undocumented immigrant.

Tom Fitton, president of the conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch, agreed.

"He can't practice as a lawyer," Fitton said. "He is not legally able to work in the United States. … It seems to me that it would be an absurdity to give him a Bar card at this point."

Actually, I'd say it seems absurd not to at this point. I don't understand this perspective. Can anyone explain this?

Immigration advocates have lobbied Congress to pass the Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented children who were brought to this country by their parents and raised in the United States. Congress has yet to pass such a law.

This seems like it would be extremely beneficial to us.

The Board of Bar Examiners began requiring exam-takers to submit proof of immigration status in 2008, but waived that policy for Godinez-Samperio, who disclosed his status and argued that documentation was not required as a rule for admission to the Bar.

Seems like this will be an interesting case once it makes it to the Supreme Court.

[Liquid Reigns]

Its already been discussed: http://www.city-data.com/forum/illeg...rad-seeks.html

This seems to be the catch all

But Godinez-Samperio, who once described himself as "undocumented, unapologetic and unafraid," has influential allies who believe his immigration status should not keep him from getting a license to practice law, even though federal statutes would forbid him using that license to earn a living.

[Eleanora1]

We already have enough lawyers. In fact, as pointed out on the other thread, we have more than enough. Why do we need anymore? Particularly of the sort who don't obey our laws?



His parents dragged him here from Mexico. There's nothing preventing him from going home where he belongs. He knew this going in. He has only himself to blame for idiotic beliefs that he personally should be allowed to ignore our immigration and employment laws.