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Gardner-Webb student, once facing deportation, to stay in U.S.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A nonprofit group is trying to help a local college student who was told she will be deported this week. She learned from officials late Monday afternoon that she does not have to leave the U.S.

Statement from Supervisory Detention and Deportation:

“Good afternoon Ms. Flores, I have located the record and confirmed your current status under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and am writing to advise you do not need to report as directed in the letter you received. I apologize for any inconvenience.”

Sthefany Flores Fuentes, who came to the United States from Honduras when she was a child, is an honors student at Gardner-Webb University. Her immigration paperwork was just renewed last month.

She doesn’t have a criminal record.

The 20-year-old received a letter from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement telling her to come to the Charlotte office on Wednesday so that she could be sent back to Central America.

A local nonprofit organization called "Unidos We Stand" is reaching out to local congressional members on her behalf, asking them to intervene.

"Condemning her for her academic achievement and behavior as an outstanding member of society is a tragedy,” the group said in a letter to the federal lawmakers. “A young life hangs in the balance."

Channel 9 reached out to ICE, and a spokesperson responded in a statement.

"In general, a person in such circumstances would not be removed from the United States absent a final order of removal issued by a federal immigration judge,” the statement said.

Flores Fuentes said she has tried to speak with Homeland Security about why she may be deported, but has not received any answers.

"I do feel wounded that this has occurred, especially since it have gone through all of the legal measures," Flores Fuentes said before she got the news she could stay.

Byron Martinez, a Latino American activist with Unidos We Stand, can't believe it either.

He pointed to the Dream Act, a pathway to legal status for the thousands of undocumented students who graduate from high school each year.

He said if it doesn't work for Flores, it doesn't work for anyone.

"My opinion is there is nothing,” he said. “There is no law."

Flores Fuentes first came to the United States when she was seven years old and agents held her for deportation then.

She received deferred action status because she was a child so that allowed her to stay at her Rutherford County home.

"I haven't done anything that would endanger my stay, my stay in this place that I called home for so long," Flores said.

An immigration lawyer said her deportation status from years ago could be reason enough to deport her now.

Flores said she's shocked.

"To hold me accountable for something I did 13 year ago when I was seven seems a little strange," Flores Fuentes said

Flores Fuentes was to attend a deportation hearing Wednesday, but that has been canceled.

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