Federal authorities have agreed to allow an illegal immigrant college student whose case sparked a broader debate on illegal immigration in Georgia to remain in the country another year.

Jessica Colotl's immigration lawyer Charles Kuck said action in Colotl's deportation case has been deferred for a third time.

Colotl was arrested following a traffic stop and turned over to immigration authorities in 2010. Colotl was a junior at Kennesaw State University at the time, and immigration officials allowed her to stay in the country for a year to complete her studies.

She graduated last May and was granted a second deferral. She has a standing deportation order but has permission to work. She has been working for Kuck as a paralegal assistant.

Tags: Kennesaw State, college students, illegal immigration, illegal immigrant, Jessica Colotl