violation , a felony charge that her attorney denies . A spotlight has been trained on Arizona since Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law a bill that requires law enforcement officials to seek proof of legal U.S. residency from anyone whom they have stopped on suspicion of having violated the law . But advocates working with Colotl point out that a little-understood program already gives local authorities in many states the latitude to act as immigration officials -- a right that is often abused , they say . `` The future of Arizona already exists in Cobb County and Gwinnett County -LSB- also in Georgia -RSB- , '' said Jerry Gonzalez , executive director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials . Near him were other Colotl supporters , some holding signs reading `` Education not deportation . '' Under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 287 -LRB- g -RRB- program , state and local law enforcement can partner with the federal agency to gain some immigration enforcement authority in their own jurisdictions . If they conclude that someone is in the country illegally , they can turn that person over to ICE . Last year , a change
Atlanta , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Staring at the throngs of media representatives who came out to hear and see her Friday , Jessica Colotl took another step into the fight for her future . The undocumented student from Mexico whose case has become a lightning rod in the immigration debate had been released on $ 2,500 bond just a couple hours earlier . The 21-year-old student at Kennesaw State University in Georgia surrendered Friday morning to authorities in response to a warrant for her arrest issued Wednesday night by the Cobb County Sheriff 's Office . Standing nervously before the crowd , Colotl fought back tears when people cheered for her . The media bombarded her with questions as she tried to give voice to her struggle . Just a week earlier , she 'd been released from a deportation facility in Alabama after being stopped in March for a minor traffic violation . `` If I were to be deported , I 'd have to start all over again , '' she said . `` I 'm hoping for the best . '' The sheriff 's office said she gave a false address when stopped for that