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In the News

New graduate granted a reprieve from deportation

Heydi Mejia illegally entered the United States from Guatemala with her mother when she was 4 years old. 14 years later, she graduated from high school in Richmond and was scheduled to be deported a few days later. On Monday afternoon, Mejia was granted a last-minute one year deferral.

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Heydi Mejia, 18, graduates with honors from Meadowbrook High School in Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University's Alltel Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. She was scheduled to be deported a few days later.

Katherine Frey / THE WASHINGTON POST

Heydi Mejia graduates with honors from Meadowbrook High School in Richmond. In the election-year debate over immigration reform, the situation Mejia is in has become one of the most debated of all: What should the United States do with illegal immigrants who come to the country as children, grow up here, break no laws and want to remain?

Heydi Mejia graduates with honors from Meadowbrook High School in Richmond. In the election-year debate over immigration reform, the situation Mejia is in has become one of the most debated of all: What should the United States do with illegal immigrants who come to the country as children, grow up here, break no laws and want to remain?

Katherine Frey / THE WASHINGTON POST

After tossing her graduation tassle, Heydi Mejia beams as she tries to find her family in the stands in Richmond.

After tossing her graduation tassle, Heydi Mejia beams as she tries to find her family in the stands in Richmond.

Katherine Frey / THE WASHINGTON POST

Heydi Mejia, 18, center front, with her mother, Dora Aldana, 40, in front of her, joins the graduation party for her and a close friend in the friend's back yard in Richmond.

Heydi Mejia, 18, center front, with her mother, Dora Aldana, 40, in front of her, joins the graduation party for her and a close friend in the friend's back yard in Richmond.

Katherine Frey / THE WASHINGTON POST

Surrounded by family and friends from church, Heydi Mejia joins the graduation party for her and a close friend in the friend's back yard in Richmond. Mejia wants to attend Randolph-Macon College in Virginia and become a nurse, but she's scheduled for deportation.

Surrounded by family and friends from church, Heydi Mejia joins the graduation party for her and a close friend in the friend's back yard in Richmond. Mejia wants to attend Randolph-Macon College in Virginia and become a nurse, but she's scheduled for deportation.

Katherine Frey / THE WASHINGTON POST

Heydi Mejia says a prayer before breakfast in Richmond.

Heydi Mejia says a prayer before breakfast in Richmond.

Katherine Frey / THE WASHINGTON POST

Heydi Mejia checks messages on her phone in Richmond.

Heydi Mejia checks messages on her phone in Richmond.

Katherine Frey / THE WASHINGTON POST

Heydi Mejia checks texts and e-mail on her mobile device as her brother, Manuel, 3, watches “Kung Fu Panda” in Richmond. Manuel is an American citizen.

Heydi Mejia checks texts and e-mail on her mobile device as her brother, Manuel, 3, watches “Kung Fu Panda” in Richmond. Manuel is an American citizen.

Katherine Frey / THE WASHINGTON POST

Dora Aldana waxes her daughter Heydi Mejia's eyebrows in preparation for graduation.

Dora Aldana waxes her daughter Heydi Mejia's eyebrows in preparation for graduation.

Katherine Frey / THE WASHINGTON POST

Heydi Mejia dries her hair at home as her brother, Manuel, 3, brushes the teeth of his toy dog in Richmond.

Heydi Mejia dries her hair at home as her brother, Manuel, 3, brushes the teeth of his toy dog in Richmond.

Katherine Frey / THE WASHINGTON POST

Manuel, 3, watches “Kung Fu Panda” at home in Richmond.

Manuel, 3, watches “Kung Fu Panda” at home in Richmond.

Katherine Frey / THE WASHINGTON POST

Heydi Mejia poses with her mother, Dora Aldana, brother, Manuel, and dog, Richie, at their apartment in Richmond.

Heydi Mejia poses with her mother, Dora Aldana, brother, Manuel, and dog, Richie, at their apartment in Richmond.

Katherine Frey / THE WASHINGTON POST

Heydi Mejia uses the computer at the apartment she shares with her mother and brother in Richmond.

Heydi Mejia uses the computer at the apartment she shares with her mother and brother in Richmond.

Katherine Frey / THE WASHINGTON POST

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