Illegal immigrant KSU student hopes to stay in US Atlanta Journal Constitution
"I just hope for the best," said Jessica Colotl, a 21-year-old who entered the country illegally when she was 10. "I hope something positive comes out of this because we really need reform for this messed-up system."
The Mexico native gained national attention in March when she was arrested in Cobb County for a minor traffic violation on the KSU campus and narrowly avoided being deported. Colotl addressed about 50 supporters and reporters at a rally just hours after being released from jail on $2,500 bond on a second charge accusing her of lying about her address.
The young student is being held up as an example of what's wrong with the nation's immigration system by both pro-immigrant groups and opponents of illegal immigration.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Karen Handel said students who are undocumented should be expelled from colleges. State Sen. Eric Johnson, another GOP candidate for governor, said through a representative Friday that state and federal laws are very clear that those in this country illegally are not eligible for any public benefit, including postsecondary education.
