Eric Balderas is currently studying molecular biology at Harvard University. Josh Reynolds AP

Miami, June 22.-  An undocumented student from Harvard University will not be deported to his native country of Mexico after an announcement from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) stating that it will not pursue the expulsion for the undergraduate.

¨ICE uses its discretion on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate, and has the authority to grant a deferral of a removal action based upon the merits of an individual’s case and a review of specific facts¨, said ICE spokeswoman Cori Bassett in press release.

The case of the 19 year old Mexican, Eric Balderas was brought to public light by several Hispanic media and was picked up later on by many international media agencies.

¨I feel very relieved that I will have the opportunity to continue my studies at Harvard; pure and simple, I am rejoicing in my heart!¨ wrote the student after the announcement in his Facebook page that was created to support his cause.

The arrest and possible deportation of the Mexican brought support messages from around the country and many pro-immigrant organizations. Even Christine Heenan, vice president of communications for Harvard said in behalf of the school that students like Balderas are ‘vital for the future in America’.

Balderas was detained two weeks ago by immigration agents when trying to return to the school in Boston, after visiting his mother in San Antonio.

Balderas was arrested trying to board a plane from the San Antonio international airport showing only his college ID. His Mexican passport, the only valid ID in he had, was missing. This caught the attention of immigration officials.

His family moved to Texas when he was 4 and converted San Antonio into their hometown. The young Mexican had just completed his freshman year in molecular biology and was returning from to Boston after a short break.

The arrest caused for supporters of the Dream Act to use Balderas as their main image to push the initiative, which has been dormant in congress since 2001.

The legislation would grant temporary resident status to undocumented students, after completing two years of college military service.

¨These cases illustrate the need for comprehensive immigration reform. ICE is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that focuses first on criminal aliens who pose a threat to our communities while we continue to work with Congress to enact a reform¨ concluded Bassett in the statement.

According to Walter Brown, a mathematics professor at a San Antonio high school and counselor when Balderas sent his college applications ´there are 65,000 kids a year graduating from high school that are in the same situation as Eric´.

“Not all of them, of course, are future Nobel Prize winners. It´s a lot of wasted potential talent¨. Brown motivated Balderas to ¨dream big¨. Before getting accepted to Harvard, he had secured his admission to Middlebury College.

Balderas graduated with honors from the Highland High School in San Antonio, Texas. His dream is to find the cure for cancer and become a renowned scientific figure.

Luis Velarde (LAV)