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Should this illegal immigrant be allowed to become a lawyer?

Should Jose Manuel Godinez-Samperio be allowed to become a US lawyer?


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Luna Tick

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There's an article about this here:
U.S. News - Can an illegal immigrant become a lawyer?

In short, this man, Jose Manuel Godinez-Samperio, came to the US from Mexico when he was 9. He graduated high school, college, and law school, and he's passed his state bar. Now he's having trouble becoming a lawyer because of his immigration status. For more details, read the article. Vote on whether you think he should be allowed to become a lawyer in the US.
 
So - why can't he become a citizen first and then go be a lawyer?

If he's smart - and has gone through the education system - doing so shouldn't be too complicated. Makes no sense ot me to have someoen become a lawyer if they themselves don't want to follow the rules and do things the right way - makes me question *how* he's lawyer for people.
 
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an illegal immigrant becoming a lawyer is irony.a lawyer is supposed to understand law,and how can they be a person who understands law and represents others over cases of law when he cant obey the law himself?

it would probably be smart for him to try for citizenship,atleast to get legal resident status if not citizenship.
 
As long as he is an illegal he should be deported. He is no different than someone who is here illegally to any other job that a corrupt employer will hire an illegal for.
 
As long as he is an illegal he should be deported. He is no different than someone who is here illegally to any other job that a corrupt employer will hire an illegal for.

Would you be willing to cut him more slack because he came here when he was only 9? Seems like the breaking of the law wasn't really his doing, but was his parents'. It's hard to imagine an 9 year-old saying, "Hey, mom, we can't do this. It's illegal."
 
Yeah! He's just taking a job that Americans don't want to do.
 
Would you be willing to cut him more slack because he came here when he was only 9? Seems like the breaking of the law wasn't really his doing, but was his parents'. It's hard to imagine an 9 year-old saying, "Hey, mom, we can't do this. It's illegal."

If he went through college and law school, he reached a point where he was culpabable on his own to decide to remain here illegally or leave.

I feel and empathize for the guy. The sad fact is that like many things that our government is forced to deal with.....from war, to incarceration, to immigration enforcement, and even tax collection...the general action is one that is negative for the people involved and when you look on an individual case by case basis you're going to come upon examples where your heart goes out for the people because it just doesn't feel right. I think most Americans, by and large, are decent good people who both want to be happy and want to see other's happy. The story of this guy, on it's own, is a sad one for a variety of reasons. That said, you can't look at a macro policy decision on such a micro example. Unfortunately for him, under the current law, no he shouldn't be able to become a lawyer. As a guy studying law, he should've known that was a potential consequence from very early on, but he made his choice to try for it anyways. Again, his choice. If you're asking in general, on a personal level, would I want the guy to be able to become a lawyer or get cut some slack? Sure. But I understand, and agree, with the notion that the federal government needs to be consistent and needs to uphold it's laws and this countries soveriegnty.

It's people like him that are why I do think we need to take action in terms of immigration. First with significantly securing our southern border. Second by tightening enforcement in terms of employers and aliens, using state and local forces to assist. Third, after it's clear one and two are under way, looking for a means of dealing with those still in this country. At that point, if security and enforcement is actually going on, I'd be open to the idea of allowing some (not a blanket all) to have a pathway to citizenship without leaving the country. However I would not agree to the third step till the first two are significantly under way. We need to stop the flow in first, then we need to remove the incentive to come/stay, and then and only then can we look at those who remain and determine what the best course of action would be. In such a scenario, being brought here as a child and having a college education, I would suggest that this individual would be the type that should be able to have a pathway to citizenship. However, under our current laws, he is unfortunately a sad story in an unfortunate necessity.
 
We need to deport him. America has enough lawyers :mrgreen:

On a serious note, I think some leniency should be shown to children that were forced to come here illegally with their parents. I think he should be deported and made to apply for legal residency like everyone else. Let him keep his law degree and eligibility to apply for his license, but he shouldn't allowed to circumvent the law and unfairly disadvantage others who try to come here legally.
 
Would you be willing to cut him more slack because he came here when he was only 9? Seems like the breaking of the law wasn't really his doing, but was his parents'. It's hard to imagine an 9 year-old saying, "Hey, mom, we can't do this. It's illegal."

Yeah, I agree with you here. But what bothers me is that this guy wasn't smart enough to know this was going to be a problem for him if he chose the legal profession. It's like it just put a target on his back.

I don't know, maybe his reasoning for doing this, in part, was to show that sometimes amnesty is the exact right decision. 'Cause, in this case, I think amnesty is appropriate. These are exactly the kind of immigrants we should be happy to welcome here.
 
If this person had come from Mexico, studied and graduated with a F1 student Visa, he would most likely
find a sponsor and get a work Visa. (people with doctorate degrees usually can get sponsored.)
The state paid for much of his education, they might as well benefit from his higher amount of taxes paid.
One of the main reasons states subsidize higher education, is because educated people pay more taxes.
 
If this person had come from Mexico, studied and graduated with a F1 student Visa, he would most likely
find a sponsor and get a work Visa. (people with doctorate degrees usually can get sponsored.)
The state paid for much of his education, they might as well benefit from his higher amount of taxes paid.
One of the main reasons states subsidize higher education, is because educated people pay more taxes.

They can only pay more taxes if they get a job. "Attorney" is not a career where America is lacking... of course it depends on the geographical region.
 
Pathway to citizenship, with some kind of fine for knowingly breaking the law after age 18, and then he can seek licensing for his desired profession.
 
Would you be willing to cut him more slack because he came here when he was only 9? Seems like the breaking of the law wasn't really his doing, but was his parents'. It's hard to imagine an 9 year-old saying, "Hey, mom, we can't do this. It's illegal."

True, but he is an adult now. He should take steps to become a citizen.
The issue if "cutting hime more slack" is when do we say enough is enough on illegal entry? If he gets a break, what about the ones that come across today? Until the illegal entry is better managed and controlled, I say no to any "slack". There are ways for him to become legal. As a lawyer, he should know that.
 
Would you be willing to cut him more slack because he came here when he was only 9? Seems like the breaking of the law wasn't really his doing, but was his parents'. It's hard to imagine an 9 year-old saying, "Hey, mom, we can't do this. It's illegal."

No.Because once he turns 18 he is no longer an unwilling participant.At 18 years old he is free to go back to his country and come back the legal way.
 
It never ceases to amaze me when I read about someone that was brought here by their parents, went to school, went to college, now speaks in behalf of all illegals and carries signs while having a tirade of the injustice of it all. My question is....why didn't they apply for citizenship all those years ago? What is stopping them NOW? They want a free pass after getting a free education most of us paid for by working 2 and 3 jobs while their parents sent money back home instead of paying their taxes or paying for that free schooling their kid now has to become a productive member of a society they stole from an STILL wants a free pass.
 
If his a 'illegal immigrant' then he should be deported this second and and can become a lawyer in jail but if his legit and just a 'immigrant' then yes he should be allowed (personally speaking).
 
The problem comes from higher above. Obama's granny lives here and she is illegal. Why is she still here????
 
There's an article about this here:
U.S. News - Can an illegal immigrant become a lawyer?

In short, this man, Jose Manuel Godinez-Samperio, came to the US from Mexico when he was 9. He graduated high school, college, and law school, and he's passed his state bar. Now he's having trouble becoming a lawyer because of his immigration status. For more details, read the article. Vote on whether you think he should be allowed to become a lawyer in the US.

He went through all that, but didn't think it necessary to at least get a green card. Sorry, but somebody who went to LAW school should know better. The article says he wants the American dream, so why the **** didn't he apply to become a US citizen? I'm saying no, simply because he studied law ffs. There's no excuse for this level of dumbassery. I'll say yes once he becomes a citizen.
 
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Honestly, the guy is smart enough to know that once he turned 18 it was time for him to pursue legal avenues toward citizenship. We have immigration laws for a reason. He needs to pursue citizenship, complying with Florida law, before being allowed to practice law.

Don't forget, this guy actually got a scholarship while his family never paid federal or state income taxes the entire time they've lived here. When he worked, he either received cash under the table or used a stolen social security number, royally screwing the rightful owner of that SS number. No one should be under the illusion that illegal immigrants earn their own way. They don't. They cost billions every year in education, medical and welfare benefits, and they pay nothing back.

He's not above the law. He needs to comply with the law.
 
Honestly, the guy is smart enough to know that once he turned 18 it was time for him to pursue legal avenues toward citizenship. We have immigration laws for a reason. He needs to pursue citizenship, complying with Florida law, before being allowed to practice law.

Don't forget, this guy actually got a scholarship while his family never paid federal or state income taxes the entire time they've lived here. When he worked, he either received cash under the table or used a stolen social security number, royally screwing the rightful owner of that SS number. No one should be under the illusion that illegal immigrants earn their own way. They don't. They cost billions every year in education, medical and welfare benefits, and they pay nothing back.

He's not above the law. He needs to comply with the law.
Florida has a sales tax only (no Income tax) So I assure you, he and his family paid their State taxes.
As to the Federal income taxes, those got withheld, but they could never ask for a refund.
Many illegal immigrants pay up at tax time - USATODAY.com
Florida should grant him his law license, if he can get an H1 sponsor. Florida has already spent
the money on his education, they should at least be allowed to recoup the money in taxes.
Some other state might agree to issue him a law license, he has great income potential,
he will be the kind of revenue stream most states want.
 
Of course he should...in mejico. mejico NEEDS good lawyers and role models.
 
Florida has a sales tax only (no Income tax) So I assure you, he and his family paid their State taxes.
As to the Federal income taxes, those got withheld, but they could never ask for a refund.
Many illegal immigrants pay up at tax time - USATODAY.com
Florida should grant him his law license, if he can get an H1 sponsor. Florida has already spent
the money on his education, they should at least be allowed to recoup the money in taxes.
Some other state might agree to issue him a law license, he has great income potential,
he will be the kind of revenue stream most states want.

So he should take the steps of becoming a US citizen. End of story. Any money they paid out of pocket was their bad for being here illegally in the first place.
 
So - why can't he become a citizen first and then go be a lawyer?

If he's smart - and has gone through the education system - doing so shouldn't be too complicated. Makes no sense ot me to have someoen become a lawyer if they themselves don't want to follow the rules and do things the right way - makes me question *how* he's lawyer for people.

Exactly...weve paid for all or part of that education along with his health care all the while hes been here ILLEGALLY...his achievement is admiral...now become a citizen then an american lawyer...OR? Im sure mexico needs good attorneys
 
Well now I'm curious: why DOESN'T he want to become a citizen? Why hasn't he done it? Is there something wrong in his view with becoming one?
 
I voted option two even though I'm more sympathetic than demanding forced deportation.

This man's beef is with his parents, obviously, whatever deceipt he used to get past legal requirements of his schools, and the many American scofflaw business owners and amnesty agitators who likely "convinced" him he could get away with it.

The right thing for him to do now is to go back on his own to his original country of citizenship and practice law there, challenging though that may be.

American citizens rightly come first, and when criminal behavior is brought to light, that should rightly end the run of criminal behavior.

He is rightly done here.
 
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