Sergio Garcia’s journey is a powerful testament to perseverance and the complexities surrounding immigration in America. Once an undocumented immigrant, Garcia made history by becoming the first in California to be licensed to practice law without legal status. Today, he runs a thriving law firm in Chico, California—a reality he achieved only after battling the full weight of the U.S. federal government.
Garcia’s story began when his family crossed the border from Mexico into the U.S. so his parents could work in California’s almond orchards. Inspired to become a lawyer, Garcia enrolled in law school, but financial struggles nearly forced him to drop out—until his mother handed him a shoebox full of small bills she had quietly saved over the years, enough to pay his tuition.
Despite earning his law degree and passing the bar, Garcia was initially barred from practicing due to his immigration status. His legal battle coincided with President Obama’s DACA policy, yet the administration’s Justice Department opposed his admission to the bar. Garcia described the setback as devastating.
Ironically, federal data shows that more deportations occurred under Obama’s administration than during Donald Trump’s first term. But Garcia ultimately prevailed in 2014, thanks to a bipartisan-supported state law that allowed undocumented immigrants to practice law in California. He celebrated his victory with a mariachi band and his parents at his swearing-in ceremony.
Now a U.S. citizen—after beginning his application in 1994—Garcia has expanded his law firm and launched a foundation to help struggling students, regardless of immigration status. Inspired by his own mother’s sacrifice, he says he wants to be the “shoebox” that helps others stay in school and pursue their dreams.
From undocumented child to successful attorney and mentor, Garcia’s story reflects the enduring possibility of the American Dream.
