The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering to abandon the deportation proceedings against the wife of a retired Army Special Forces veteran, Military Times reported Thursday.

Elia Crawford, 44, the wife of Ret. Sgt. 1st Class Bob Crawford, 52, faced possible deportation because she is in the country illegally. She is scheduled to go before a Virginia immigration court on Monday.

But according to Military Times, DHS has offered to drop its deportation proceedings against her, which would allow her to take advantage of a program known as "Parole in Place." That program allows undocumented spouses of U.S. troops and veterans to remain in the U.S. and pursue a green card.

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A judge still has to approve the dismissal of the deportation order.

Leticia Corona, an attorney for the Crawfords, told Military Times that, while the decision to drop the deportation proceedings is a step forward, the family still has "a long road ahead" in their fight to secure legal status for Elia Crawford.