A Connecticut woman facing deportation to Bangladesh has been granted a reprieve by federal immigration officials after supporters went on a hunger strike.

Salma Sikandar had been ordered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave the country Thursday morning, but the agency late Wednesday agreed to stay the order until the Board of Immigration Appeals can consider reopening her case, reports dailyprogress.com.

Sikandar seeks to remain in the country she’s lived for 18 years with her husband and son even though her tourist visa expired in 1999.

Her husband, Anwar Mahmud, is among nine supporters who have been on a hunger strike outside Immigration Court in Hartford in recent days.

Gov. Dannel Malloy, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and other state politicians have also rallied behind Sikander and there have been other public demonstrations.