Colotl Allowed to Stay Another Year

graduate and illegal immigrant Jessica Colotl will remain in the country for another year, reported the Atlanta-Journal Constitution Monday.

Colotl, whose 2010 arrest brought national attention to the issue of illegal immigrants in public colleges and who now faces a standing deportation order, was granted a third one-year deferment this month allowing her to stay in the country.

She will apply for another reprieve next year, immigration attorney Charles Kuck told the AJC. Due to the deportation order, Colotl cannot apply for legal permanent residency unless there is federal immigration reform, or she returns to Mexico for 10 years and applies for a visa, Kuck told the AJC.

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Colotl was arrested in spring of 2010 for a minor traffic violation, charged with driving without a license and turned over to immigration authorities.

Then a junior political science student at Kennesaw State, her case fueled the debate about whether illegal immigrants take seats in public colleges away from lawful residents.

Kennesaw State officials and immigration advocates rushed to her defense. Colotl's first one-year deferment allowed her to complete her studies, while the second allowed her to stay in the country long enough

Colotl is currently working for Kuck as a paralegal assistant while she saves money and plans to attend law school, reported the AJC.

In March, at universities, colleges and tech schools, passed in the Georgia Senate on a 34-19 vote. Senate Bill 458 will now go before the Georgia House.