DOJ: Illegal Immigrants Can’t Practice Law in the US

[WSJ Law Blog]

The U.S. Department of Justice, weighing in on a closely watched case in California, said Thursday that illegal immigrants shouldn't be allowed to practice law in the U.S.



Federal law prohibits employers from knowingly hiring illegal workers, and people in the U.S. illegally are generally barred from receiving federal grants, loans and professional licenses, unless the benefits are approved by individual states.

The California Supreme Court is considering whether to grant bar admission to Sergio C. Garcia, who was brought to the U.S. illegally as a child and applied for a visa number in 1994. He has been waiting in line ever since. The Justice Department said the question was beyond the ken of California’s highest court.

But even if the California legislature approved his law license, federal law would prohibit Mr. Garcia from practicing, the Justice Department argued in its brief.

More...