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California attorney who fought to practice law finally gets green card California attorney who fought to practice law finally gets green card
(about 1 hour later)
A California attorney who successfully fought a legal battle to practice law despite his immigration status got his green card Thursday and can now live in the US legally as well.A California attorney who successfully fought a legal battle to practice law despite his immigration status got his green card Thursday and can now live in the US legally as well.
Sergio Garcia, 38, first applied for permanent US residency in 1994 at the age of 17 after his family moved from Mexico to California.Sergio Garcia, 38, first applied for permanent US residency in 1994 at the age of 17 after his family moved from Mexico to California.
“It’s an incredible relief,” Garcia said after picking up the drivers’ license-like card from his post office box in Chico, north of Sacramento.“It’s an incredible relief,” Garcia said after picking up the drivers’ license-like card from his post office box in Chico, north of Sacramento.
The green card was granted on the heels of the law license he obtained in 2014 after a five-year legal and political battle that included opposition from the Obama administration and a favorable ruling in January from the California supreme court.The green card was granted on the heels of the law license he obtained in 2014 after a five-year legal and political battle that included opposition from the Obama administration and a favorable ruling in January from the California supreme court.
The license was granted after Gov Jerry Brown signed a specially crafted bill passed by the legislature to let Garcia practice law. The license was granted after Governor Jerry Brown signed a specially crafted bill passed by the legislature to let Garcia practice law.
Garcia represents car accident victims and settled his first legal case on Wednesday.Garcia represents car accident victims and settled his first legal case on Wednesday.
Even with his law license, Garcia faced obstacles. Without the green card, he couldn’t work for a law firm or partner with other attorneys on cases. Many potential clients were wary of hiring a lawyer who could be arrested and deported.Even with his law license, Garcia faced obstacles. Without the green card, he couldn’t work for a law firm or partner with other attorneys on cases. Many potential clients were wary of hiring a lawyer who could be arrested and deported.
Garcia says he is seeking US citizenship, which would give him the right to vote, serve on a jury or work for the federal government.Garcia says he is seeking US citizenship, which would give him the right to vote, serve on a jury or work for the federal government.
He said he still gets an occasional threatening email from strangers upset that he is practicing law. He hopes his new immigration status will silence critics.He said he still gets an occasional threatening email from strangers upset that he is practicing law. He hopes his new immigration status will silence critics.
Garcia arrived with his parents in California when he was an infant, and returned to Mexico when he was 9. When he was 17, his family moved to Chico, where his father — a naturalized US citizen — operates a beekeeping business. Garcia arrived with his parents in California when he was an infant, and returned to Mexico when he was nine. When he was 17, his family moved to Chico, where his father – a naturalized US citizen – operates a beekeeping business.
After graduating from Cal Northern School of Law in Chico, Garcia passed the bar exam in 2009 but wasn’t able to practice law until 2014, when he opened an office in Chico.After graduating from Cal Northern School of Law in Chico, Garcia passed the bar exam in 2009 but wasn’t able to practice law until 2014, when he opened an office in Chico.
On Wednesday, he won a $25,000 insurance payout for an elderly woman hurt in an auto accident and collected his first payment.On Wednesday, he won a $25,000 insurance payout for an elderly woman hurt in an auto accident and collected his first payment.
“I’m on a roll,” he said. “My girlfriend and I are going to a steakhouse and I’m ordering a lobster tail.”“I’m on a roll,” he said. “My girlfriend and I are going to a steakhouse and I’m ordering a lobster tail.”