Fla. immigrant seeking law license has work permit

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- An illegal immigrant seeking a Florida law license has received a federal deportation deferral and work permit.

Jose Godinez-Samperio also notified the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday that he has received a Florida driver license.

The high court is considering whether to admit him to the Florida Bar after hearing oral argument in October.

Some justices then had suggested holding off a decision until the federal government acted on his application for deferral and a work permit.

President Barack Obama announced the deferral policy for young illegal immigrants in June.

Godinez-Samperio came to the United States on a visitor's visa when he was 9 years old but his family never returned to Mexico.

He has a Florida State University law degree and has passed the state bar exam.

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