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Sacramento, Calif. - The State Bar DREAM Resolution passed the Assembly floor Monday by a 50-24 vote.
The bill would allow illegal immigrant students to take the State Bar exam, join the state bar and practice law California.
"As a state representative, I know that we have invested time and money into the education and training of those that pass the State Bar," said Assemblyman Luis Alejo (D-Salinas). "These are the best and brightest. We, as a state, should work toward a solution to make sure these best and brightest give back to California in return for our investment them."
The resolution also commends the State Bar of California for its efforts to admit Sergio C. Garcia. Garcia came to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 17 months old, returned to Mexico with his family at age 9 and reentered the U.S. with family at age 17. He graduated from Cal State Chico and Cal Northern School of Law without any financial assistance. Garcia's father, who now a U.S. citizen, applied for a green card for his son 18 years ago. However, the application is still pending.
"California has been moving toward a policy of inclusion rather than exclusion of undocumented immigrants brought into the United States by their parents as children, regardless of their federal authorization to work," explained Alejo. "California legislation and policy supports an applicant's admission to the State Bar without regard to citizenship or residency. This resolution is an important step forward in our commitment to inclusion."
The State Bar DREAM Resolution bill now heads to the State Senate for consideration.
