ATLANTA – Federal authorities have revoked the protection from deportation granted to a Mexican woman who became a cause celebre in the debate over illegal immigration when she was a Georgia college student seven years ago.
Immigration authorities last week terminated 29-year-old Jessica Colotl's protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The next day, a government lawyer asked an immigration judge to issue a deportation order.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Bryan Cox said Colotl admitted guilt to a felony charge in August 2011. Even though she was allowed to enter a pretrial diversion program, he said, that's considered a conviction for immigration purposes.
Colotl's attorney, Charles Kuck, disputes that. He said she complied with the terms of pretrial diversion, meaning she does not have a felony conviction.
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