‘Dreamer’ Parthiv Patel in NJ Bar Association

NEW JERSEY, NJ — An Indian American attorney Parthiv Patel has made history as the first undocumented immigrant to be admitted to the New Jersey Bar Association.

Patel was sworn in to office on January 24 by New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, himself a history-maker as the first Indian American to serve in that role in the state. Patel took the oath of office as New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy looked on. Patel’s wife Sarika also attended the ceremony.

“Dreamers are Americans,” said Patel after he was sworn in. “We are your doctors, accountants, and now lawyers. We are also your gas station attendants and the people who make your coffee and dream of becoming doctors and lawyers, but cannot because of laws that prohibit us.”

The young attorney and his family came to the US from India when Patel was just five. He received DACA status in 2012. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an Obama-era initiative, protects undocumented youth from deportation and allows them to get work permits and drivers’ licenses.

He attended Drexel University’s Thomas Kline School of Law, and passed the bar exam in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania in 2016.

Patel also fought his battle in Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the Bar there on December 18, 2017.

Before the formal swearing-in, Murphy took the stand to thank Patel for his courage.

“Justice continues to be denied to Dreamers,” said the governor, adding: “With this oath today, we make it clear that New Jersey supports our 22,000 Dreamers and all the immigrants in our state.” Murphy blasted the Trump administration at several points in his short speech.

Trump, who is scheduled to unveil a sweeping immigration reform package January 29, has hinted he will extend the deadline for DACA, which goes into effect March 5.