WHEREAS, we the students of New College are concerned about the treatment of one of our fellow Novocollegians, alumnus Jose Manuel Godinez-Samperio (’04,) who is an aspiring lawyer, graduate of FSU Law school, and exceptional student; and WHEREAS, Godinez-Samperio’s immigration status remains as “undocumented,” despite his commitment to education and his will to uphold and defend the constitution and laws of the United States and the State of Florida; and WHEREAS, Godinez-Samperio has passed the Florida Bar Exam, but has thus far not been admitted due to his immigration status; and WHEREAS, Godinez-Samperio’s case is currently being reviewed by the Florida Supreme Court and has been flagged as “high profile”; and WHEREAS, Manasota Students Working for Equal Rights (SWER,) started as a branch of the state-wide organization that was founded upon the need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act, and was started as a result of Godinez-Samperio’s passion for developing solidarity between New College students and undocumented students; and WHEREAS, The DREAM Act, which has garnered national support but failed to pass Congress in the Fall of 2010, states that undocumented students under the age of 25 would be able to reach higher education or join the military regardless of their immigration status, and in return be put on a path towards citizenship; and WHEREAS, as an institution that has shown support for the DREAM Act, in both the student body and in a statement made by NCF President Gordon “Mike” Michalson on October 15, 2009: “In particular, I write to support the DREAM Act, currently under consideration in Congress and enjoying wide bi-partisan support. The DREAM Act is a good thing for higher education and a significant step on behalf of basic principles of fairness and justice. In particular, it would be in New College’s clear interest if this Act is passed, given our aspiration to become a truly diverse and pluralistic campus.”... “ Indeed, rectifying the injustices done to immigrants in the educational sphere is a natural first step in fixing our broken immigration laws and assuring equal opportunity for all in this nation of immigrants.” THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the New College community support Jose Manuel Godinez-Samperio in his struggle to be admitted to the Florida Bar.

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