ICE has decided not to deport Harvard student Eric Balderas after all. They are going to put him on deferred action status.

Balderas has lived here since the age of 4. He was detained and given a summons to show up for the beginning of removal proceedings when he was boarding a flight from San Antonio, where his mother lives, back to Boston.

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 reform,” ICE spokeswoman Cori Bassett said. “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.”

None of the articles say whether his mother is a citizen. I hope ICE also leaves her alone.

It's time for Congress to get busy and pass the DREAM Act.