Sergio Garcia graduated from law school, passed the California bar exam, and was found to have good moral character by the State Bar. However, his admission to the bar continues to be a question — not because of a lack of academic achievement, an adverse criminal record or failure to complete law school — but merely because he lacks immigration status. In a case which has received national media attention, the California Supreme Court is currently considering whether Garcia should be denied admission because he is undocumented. The answer to this question will affect numerous young people throughout the state, and the country, as many successful college and law students stand in his shoes.

Surprisingly, the issue of whether an undocumented immigrant — who worked as hard as any other law student to successfully complete law school and pass the bar exam — may be admitted to the State Bar of California is an issue of first impression. The court invited briefs of amici curiae to present arguments either in favor of or in opposition to Garcia’s admission to the bar. Various briefs were filed, including our brief, which was on behalf of Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, Dolores Street Community Services, Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC), and the Bickel & Brewer Latino Institute for Human Rights at New York University School of Law.

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