A Mexican immigrant who developed an improbable acting career while living illegally in the Atlanta area has been granted a one-year reprieve from deportation.

Tony Guerrero, 40, of Dunwoody said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently informed him he had been given a form of relief called “stay of removal” and that he may apply for it again in a year.

In a twist of art imitating life, Guerrero starred in a low-budget film about a naïve illegal immigrant from Mexico who achieves his American dream of landing a top corporate job. “Undocumented Executive” was shot in the Atlanta area and released last year. Guerrero said he has also landed small roles in the forthcoming comedies, “Anchor Man 2: The Legend Continues” and “Dumb and Dumber To.”

“I’m so relieved,” Guerrero said. “Right now, I feel like I can breathe for the very first time.”