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Fla. Immigrant One Step Closer To Law License

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) – A Florida State University law school graduate who is in the country illegally is one step closer to getting license to practice in the state.

Jose Godinez-Samperio informed the state's Supreme Court that he has received a federal deportation deferral and work permit. He has also passed the state bar and gotten a driver's license.

The high court, which is considering whether to admit him to the Florida Bar after hearing oral argument last in October, decided to hold off on making 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.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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