Conn. Sen.: Deportation halted for Mexican student

By MICHAEL MELIA Associated Press

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A Mexican college student who won allies in Connecticut's governor and two U.S. senators as he fought a deportation order has learned he will be allowed to stay for now.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal says the Department of Homeland Security called his office to inform him that a stay of removal had been granted for 23-year-old Mariano Cardoso.

Cardoso said Tuesday that he felt relieved and honored after Blumenthal called him to deliver the news.

A spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Cardoso has lived in the United States since his family entered the country illegally when he was 22 months old. He is due to graduate next month from Capital Community College in Hartford with a liberal arts degree.