State Bar accuses immigrants' activist of practicing law
August 11th, 2008 @ 11:13am
by Jim Cross/KTAR

The State Bar of Arizona has asked Maricopa County Superior Court to issue an injunction to stop immigration activist Elias Bermudez from practicing law.

Bermudez, the head of Immigrants Without Borders, said he simply has been filling out documents to help people gain legal citizenship, not practicing law. He said he's looking forward to his day in court.

``This situation, it's something I think is happening because of my activism," Bermudez said. ``If it weren't for my activism, nobody would even pay attention to met." The State Bar said it will be months before the issue is resolved.

Bermudez said, ``I think that two individuals have a complaint. In 20 years, that's a very good record. I have attorneys who have numerous complaints and the bar doesn't do anything about that."

Bermudez sais he never has claimed to be an attorney and that he does not give out legal advice.

``I provide people with information that they can easily find on the internet or in different publications," he said. ``That information I provide is what makes people decide to go ahead and go through the process, fill out the forms and send them into INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service)," he said.

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