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.
“We are now at a crossroads that could make or break this family,” Corona said. “The latest development in this case is that we were contacted today by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Chief Counsel who offered to dismiss deportation [removal] proceedings.”
“Once the judge approves the dismissal, this would allow Mrs. Crawford to pursue permanent legal status,” she added. “While we are encouraged by this latest development there will still be a long road ahead.”
Elia Crawford came to the U.S. illegally from Honduras in 1999 following Hurricane Mitch. She married Bob Crawford in 2001, and they have two sons — a 9-year-old and a 12-year-old. Their case was first reported this week by Military Times.