File - In this Aug. 27, 2013 file photo, Sergio Garcia speaks at The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles news conference in Los Angeles. The California Supreme Court granted a law license on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, to Garcia, who is living in the United States illegally. Garcia, who graduated from law school and passed the state bar exam, can begin practicing law despite his immigration status. He arrived in the U.S. illegally 20 years ago to pick almonds with his father. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)
January 01, 2014 - 11:38 PM
SAN FRANCISCO - The California Supreme Court will decide whether to grant a law license to a man living in the United States illegally who graduated law school and passed the state bar exam.
The decision Thursday comes in the case of Sergio Garcia, who is challenging a 1996 law that bars people living in the country illegally from receiving "professional licenses" from government agencies, or with the use of public funds, unless state lawmakers vote otherwise.
The case has pitted the Obama administration against state officials who support Garcia's application.
At a hearing in September the court appeared reluctant to grant Garcia's license, saying the law prohibits them from doing so unless the Legislature acts.
Garcia arrived in the U.S. illegally 20 years ago to pick almonds with his father.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014