A West Hartford man was nearly deported but he's now won the right to stay here in Connecticut for at least another year.
Federal immigration officials released Sujitno Sajuti from custody on Friday. He'll now be on supervised release during a year-long stay of deportation, according to his supporters.
With his fight to stay here far from over, his supporters say they'll keep up their efforts to keep him here permanently.
"He said that he was very happy when he was able to call his wife and that he was well treated," said Jay Klemundt, a family friend who picked him up from a federal detention center in Massachusetts.
Sajuti came to the U.S. in the early 80's on a student visa and stayed when it expired. His efforts to gain legal status didn't work out.
Hartford attorney Rafael Pichardo requested the stay of deportation. Now he plans to assist in the effort to get Sajuti legal status.
"This is an example of what happens when people let the community know what's going on," said Pichardo.
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Sajuti returned to his West Hartford apartment on Friday night but was too exhausted to talk about the ordeal. He's lived in the community 23 years and tutors students.
Supporters plan to hold a rally later this month to celebrate his release and raise money for his ongoing legal bills.
