Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has been urged to intervene to prevent the deportation of a third year DCU student.
Mehwish Saqib has been living in Direct Provision for the past four years and has completed two years of an Early Childhood Education course at the northside college.
But the mother-of-three, who is originally from Pakistan, is now facing deportation before she can complete her studies.
Over 4,500 people have signed an online petition started by DCU Students' Union calling for Minister Flanagan's help.
A statement accompanying the petition reads: "Mehwish and her husband live in Ireland with their three children and she was accepted into DCU as part of the University of Sanctuary scholarship scheme.
"Like all students, she should be afforded the right to complete the studies she has thrived in thus far.
"Despite her challenging living circumstances in Direct Provision, she has overcome great odds to advance academically.
"She has contributed so much to this country and has aspirations of continuing to do so, spending her first two years in DCU with flying colors and dreaming of a career in Early Childhood Education.
"Should she be deported, she will be faced with death threats from the very people who drove her out of the country eight years ago. She will not be safe."
Dublin Live has contacted the Department of Justice for comment.
