BEDFORD HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A teenager who is trying to avoid deportation to his native Germany before he graduates high school was released from jail Thursday.

The release came one day after an immigration judge refused to release 18-year-old Manuel Bartsch from the Bedford Jail, saying it wasn't clear whether he had the authority to do so.

Judge M. Christopher Grant said he would consider the evidence that might allow him to free Bartsch so he could finish high school at Pandora-Gliboa High School, in Putnam County.

Images: Teen Released

Nine years ago, Barsch came to the United States with his step-grandfather on a 90-day visa when he was in the fourth grade, but never applied for permanent citizenship.

His attorney wanted him out of jail while a decision is made about his deportation. Bartsch had been in jail since Christmas weekend.

Greg Palmore is a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He says the agency received information that removes Bartsch from a visa waiver program that entitled him only to a 90-day stay.

Palmore says Bartsch must appear before an immigration judge at a later date.

Bartsch, born in Esselbach, Germany, arrived in the U.S. on the visa in 1997. But Bartsch's attorney, David Leopold, argued that Bartsch is in the country legally because the U.S. let him return years ago after he and his step-grandfather visited Canada.

Leopold said he had received a call from an immigration agent in Cleveland and simply was told that Bartsch would be released and would receive papers directing him to appear before an immigration judge.

Bartsch discovered the incomplete paperwork when he was searching for documents to show he was an American citizen. When he couldn't find any, he contacted U.S. immigration authorities hoping the office would have records. He was detained and jailed.

Asked if he had any hard feelings about his ordeal, Bartsch said, "No," and added, "At this point, I'm happy. Right now I'm going to get to go home." He said immigration officials "were just doing what they had to do."

Bartsch is expected to return to school on Friday. High school officials, who have rallied around Bartsch during the last two weeks, will also hold a news conference to discuss the teen's deportation fight.