NM Supreme Court Approves Amendment To Open Attorney Licensure to All Qualifying Applicants Regardless of Immigration Status
A victory for years of advocacy efforts carried out by those directly affected and legal advocates.
Media Contact: Flaviano Graciano, fgraciano@nmilc.org
8|23|2022
Albuquerque, N.M. - Last Friday, the New Mexico Supreme Court approved an amendment to the State Bar admissions rule (15-103 NMRA) that will extend licensing to practice law to all qualifying applicants, no matter their citizenship or immigration status. The amendment will take effect starting this October 1, 2022. This is a victory for hundreds of undocumented and noncitizen legal professionals seeking to practice law in the state they call home, like Luis Leyva, a graduate in the UNM School of Law Class of ‘22 who was worried he wouldn’t be able to practice because of his immigration status.
The amendment to the admissions rule was first proposed in 2018 and was ill received by many in the New Mexican community. This victory is a direct result of continued advocacy from Jazmin Irazoqui-Ruiz, Senior Attorney and Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Fellow at the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC), and the first DACAmented attorney allowed to practice law in our state, several NMILC pro bono attorneys, and organizing efforts from the New Mexico Dream Team (NMDT).
You can find the amended language to rule 15-103 NMRA here.
Jazmín Irazoqui-Ruiz, NMILC Senior Policy & Advocacy Attorney, said:
“I am excited that others in the pipeline will no longer wonder whether their immigration status will be a barrier to becoming an attorney and serving New Mexican communities. We have been advocating for this amendment since my admission into the NM State Bar in 2017. I am so grateful for the support of Chief Justice Shannon Bacon and the NM Supreme Court for valuing the inclusion of attorneys like me and many others in the pipeline.
Almost five years later, the Court has removed an unnecessary barrier to bar admission, which results in economic mobility and stability for immigrant families and children in our state. We could not have completed this historic policy change without the legal advocates and community organizers who supported this work from day one.”
Luis Leyva, UNM School of Law Class of ‘22 Graduate and NMDT member, said:
“New Mexico’s new amendment to Rule 15-103 NMRA will not only vastly facilitate the way I navigate my law career but also allows New Mexico to tap into the talents and expertise of our immigrant communities. Allowing qualified immigrants to become practicing attorneys will help enhance New Mexico’s workforce, and its economy. Almost one in six adult immigrants in New Mexico has a college degree, I look forward to seeing how many will now pursue a law degree."
Maureen Sanders, NMILC Policy & Advocacy Pro Bono, said:
“Advocating for this rule change for the last few years has been such a rewarding experience. Now the barriers to Bar admission for immigrants who have satisfied all of the other qualifications have been removed. What a great day for our legal community and for New Mexicans. I am a strong advocate for more access to legal services for all New Mexicans!
David Stout, NMILC Policy & Advocacy Pro Bono, said:
“The Supreme Court has remedied a past injustice and removed an artificial and arbitrary barrier for otherwise highly motivated and qualified attorneys!”
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New Mexican Immigrant Law Center's mission is to advance justice and equity by empowering low-income immigrant communities through collaborative legal services, advocacy, and education. You can find more about NMILC online at nmilc.org.