In a 2012 Supreme Court brief, Harris—who is anticipated to travel to the southern border this week—backed the goal of 35-year-old illegal immigrant Sergio Garcia to receive a law degree from the State Bar of California, stating that the government could not prevent him from doing so.
Harris’ office stated in the brief that neither a statute nor a policy prohibits this court from admitting Garcia to the State Bar. Admitting Garcia to the Bar would actually be in line with federal and state policies that support immigration, both of which are well-documented.
The study mentions the support that the state bar, civil rights organizations, and Latino lawmakers in the state showed for Garcia. However, Harris’ endorsement “made the difference,” as Kevin Johnson, the dean of UC Davis’ law school, told the Sacramento Bee earlier this year.
Throughout the campaign, Harris changes his stance on important issues like the border and illegal immigration.