BAKERSFIELD, CA --A new law signed in California has opened the door for a local immigrant, who for months, put her dreams of becoming an attorney, on hold. Hearing her name last June is something Paola Fernandez will never forget. She got her degree in philosophy with a minor in pre-law from CSUB, with the goal in mind of pursuing a career in law.
"I have been fascinated by our legal system for years especially because it has affected me so much," Fernandez said.
When Fernandez was four years old, her parents brought her to the U.S. from Mexico. Thanks to the Deferred Action Program approved in 2012, Fernandez qualified for temporary legal status along with thousands of other undocumented youth in the country. Even then, her professional future was uncertain, to the point that Fernandez did not even pick up her university degree. Little did she know her destiny was about to change.
Governor Jerry Brown signed a new law last October allowing any qualified person to practice law in this state, regardless of their immigration status. Thursday, the state supreme court ruled in favor of Sergio Garcia to practice as an attorney, even though Garcia is undocumented from Mexico. This was a major step that set a precedent with the immigrant population.
"Knowing that is an absolute takes this whole weight off your shoulders and it takes the part when you are trying to fall asleep at night and ease it a little bit better," Fernandez said.
Months after her graduation, Fernandez got the courage to go pick up her degree. A very important step to accomplishing her dream of becoming an attorney.
"I will not only understand it from the legal perspective but understand it from the personal perspective,” Fernandez said. “Looking at people as people and sometimes that is all that someone needs to have a better day."
Fernandez says that once she reaches her goal, she plans to stay in Bakersfield to help out the immigrant community.
"In order to have equality in our country we really need to have the right to vote,” Fernandez said. “I have been in this country since I was four and I feel like this is my country so I really, really want to be a full fledged citizen."
"I have been fascinated by our legal system for years especially because it has affected me so much," Fernandez said.
When Fernandez was four years old, her parents brought her to the U.S. from Mexico. Thanks to the Deferred Action Program approved in 2012, Fernandez qualified for temporary legal status along with thousands of other undocumented youth in the country. Even then, her professional future was uncertain, to the point that Fernandez did not even pick up her university degree. Little did she know her destiny was about to change.
Governor Jerry Brown signed a new law last October allowing any qualified person to practice law in this state, regardless of their immigration status. Thursday, the state supreme court ruled in favor of Sergio Garcia to practice as an attorney, even though Garcia is undocumented from Mexico. This was a major step that set a precedent with the immigrant population.
"Knowing that is an absolute takes this whole weight off your shoulders and it takes the part when you are trying to fall asleep at night and ease it a little bit better," Fernandez said.
Months after her graduation, Fernandez got the courage to go pick up her degree. A very important step to accomplishing her dream of becoming an attorney.
"I will not only understand it from the legal perspective but understand it from the personal perspective,” Fernandez said. “Looking at people as people and sometimes that is all that someone needs to have a better day."
Fernandez says that once she reaches her goal, she plans to stay in Bakersfield to help out the immigrant community.
"In order to have equality in our country we really need to have the right to vote,” Fernandez said. “I have been in this country since I was four and I feel like this is my country so I really, really want to be a full fledged citizen."