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

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Tuesday approved the extension for Jessica Colotl.

Colotl, now 22, was arrested on charges of driving without a license following a traffic stop last spring. She was turned over to immigration authorities and nearly deported. ICE a year ago deferred action on her case for a year to allow her to finish her studies at Kennesaw State University. That delay was to expire Thursday.

Prompted in part by outcry over Colotl's case, the Georgia university system adopted a policy that bars its schools from accepting illegal immigrants if they've rejected academically qualified applicants in the prior two years.

Tags: Georgia, immigration, kennesaw state university, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Jessica Colotl