Immigration and Customs Enforcement has granted a temporary stay of deportation to a  New Haven mother who was scheduled to leave the country Thursday, according to Gov. Dannel Malloy.

Without the stay, Salma Sikander would have had to leave behind her husband and son to return to her native Bangladesh.

"While this is undoubtedly good news for Salma and her family, it should never have gotten to this point," Malloy said. "It should not have taken intervention from elected officials and hunger strikes from community activists for reason to prevail."

Nine people went on a hunger strike to protest the deportation order, including Sikander's husband.

The governor also noted that Sikander is a respected member of her local community.

"Salma Sikander is not a bad hombre," the governor added, using a term President Donald Trump has applied to some people who have illegally entered the country. "She is not a criminal, and this ordeal has caused her and her family tremendous undue trauma."

Sen. Richard Blumenthal called the stay a "welcome, momentary victory," but he also noted that he would continue to push for a permanent resolution to Sikander's immigration status.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who on Tuesday cited a petition that garnered more than 40,000 signatures and demanded authorities issue the stay of deportation, said she would now work on trying to help secure permanent residency for Sikander.