Obama Immigration Policy May Give Florida Man the Chance to Practice Law

Tallahassee, FL- Jose Godinez- Samperio, like so many young immigrants, was brought to the U.S. as a child. His parents had a visitation visa, but when that visa expired they never left, and built their lives here. Now Jose is hoping that the Obama Administration’s deferred action for young immigrants will give him the chance to fulfill his dream of becoming an attorney.

As a young person Jose had aspirations and bettered himself by attending college and obtaining a law degree, but his dream to become an immigration lawyer was crushed when the Florida Bar refused to admit him because of his undocumented status. But President Obama’s decision to use prosecutorial discretion for young immigrants may present him with the chance to practice law.

The deferred action allows young immigrants under the age of thirty, who have been here at least five years, attended school or served in the military, and is not guilty of committing serious or violent crimes to apply for a work visa and avoid deportation.

Godinez-Samperio’s case is a unique one, and the first time the Florida Bar was confronted with issue. The Florida Bar of Examiners asked the state Supreme Court justices for guidance on the issue, and an advisory opinion on whether undocumented immigrants could be allowed to become lawyers.

In a motion filed with the Florida Supreme Court, Godinez-Samperio’s attorney stated, “The significance of this action for (Godinez-Samperio) and the issues before this Court cannot be overstated. No grounds remain for denying or further delaying his admission to the Florida Bar.”

Like so many undocumented immigrants Godinez-Samperio just wants to contribute to society. Immigration attorneys can make the dream of contributing to American society a reality by getting them the necessary work visas, which pave the way for citizenship.

Regardless of your issue whether you need deportation defense, help getting a HB-1 or other work visas or help applying for citizenship, an immigration lawyer will be an asset to your case and increase yur chances of becoming a legally recognized citizen.