TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments about whether an illegal immigrant can be granted a law license.
The case will be heard Tuesday.
Jose Godinez-Samperio came to the United States from Mexico at age 9. He has since graduated from college, earned a law degree and passed the Florida Bar.
The Board of Bar Examiners has asked the Supreme Court for an advisory opinion on whether he can be denied a law license because of his immigration status.
Godinez-Samperio contends President Barack Obama has cleared that potential obstacle.
Obama has issued a directive to protect immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children, exempting them from deportation and granting temporary work permits for those who apply. It does not provide a path to citizenship.
