Lifting the "Lamp beside the Golden Door": An Argument for Immigration Reform, Advocacy, and Transformation Through Testimonios

Abstract

INTRODUCTION ..................... 1....... ............... I I. THE CURRENT LEGAL PARADIGM AND FAILED LEGISLATIVE FIXES.................................................7 II. FACING THE PARADOX: UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS' STATUS ................................. 1...3......13 A. An Education, but Not a Legal Education .................... 14 B. An Ephemeral Boundary Based on Age......................17 C. Good Moral Character Requirements Under Immigration Law and State Bar Admission ....................................... 20 III. TESTIMONIOS: BEYOND A SINGLE NARRATIVE ... .............. 24 A. The Legal Community's Potential to Transcend Partisan Politics.........25 B. Narratives for Broader Legal Reform and the Opportunity for Transformation ...................................... 28 CONCLUSION ................................................... 33