California's Supreme Tribunal determined that there is now law that forbids Sergio García, an undocumented Mexican immigrant living in the US since 20 years ago, from practicing law in the state, local media reported on Friday, December 3.
The Tribunal's resolution opens a door full of opportunities for undocumented students in the U.S. where they can now have a professional career.
According to information published by CNN, after almost 20 years of living in the US, Sergio García, who has been waiting for his resident card all this time, will finally be able to practice law in California.
A Debate on Illegal Residency
36-year-old García has revived the debate on the residency of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., because even if most people celebrate this as a victory for the undocumented Latino community in the US, an important fraction has also harshly criticized the Tribunal's ruling.
According to the BBC, Sergio García, who entered the U.S. with his family when he was two years old, joined a law school and passed the bar exam; however, he continues to wait for his resident card.
The same source highlights that García violated a 1996 law that prevented illegal immigrants from obtaining a professional license, a measure which was later changed by Governor Jerry Brown.
The new lawyer's life story, who returned to Mexico with his family when he was nine and re-entered the U.S. illegally when he was 17, has been the main target of criticism against the Thursday, January 2 ruling.
"How can he commit to respecting 'the courts of justice' when, for most of his life, he has lived here challenging the law? How can he guarantee he won't 'fool' a judge or judicial authority when you have to lie every day to live illegally in the U.S.?" asked Rubén Navarrete, a CNN collaborator.
The Supreme Tribunal's Ruling Allows Sergio to Practice Law
However, the state of California determined on Thursday that no state law or policy prevents García and others in his situation from obtaining a professional license in the state, owing mostly, to him living for most of his life in the U.S.
"Under these circumstances, we conclude that the presence of an undocumented immigrant violating federal statutes is not reason enough on its own to deny undocumented immigrants admission to the bar," the Court said in a press release quoted by CNN.
For his part, Sergio García, the happy new lawyer, said on social networks: "I feel incredible, this is the best 2014 gift someone could give me," BBC quoted.