Can an undocumented immigrant become a lawyer?
Jose Manuel Godinez-Samperio was brought to the United States from Mexico by his parents when he was nine years old. Sixteen years later, he had graduated from his Florida high school as class valedictorian, become an Eagle Scout, completed college and law school, and passed the state bar exam. The problem is Godinez-Samperio is an undocumented immigrant.
In what appears to be a landmark case, the Florida Supreme Court is going to consider whether Godinez-Samperio has the right to practice the law — a decision that could impact others who hope to follow in his footsteps.