A major development in the case of a Queens man who was days away from being deported after living in the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant for 37 years. Late last year, Immigration and Customs Enforcement put the case on hold after NY1 broke the story of the pending deportation. Now there is word he will be allowed to remain in the U.S. with his wife and two children.

• After 37 years as an undocumented immigrant, Queens man is being deported, leaving family behind

This is the greeting Riaz Talukder gave NY1 after learning the federal Board of Immigration Appeals granted him a new chance to apply for citizenship.

"I feel good you know," Talukder said. "Why I feel good because I can stay with my kids I could stay my wife"

Talukder's wife cooked a traditional Bangladeshi feast for the interview and for his immigration attorneys. She just had surgery for throat cancer and is cancer free for now.

"I know right now I feel good because we are living together," she said "And can help each other, I think life is good."

It's a far cry from the mood in their Jamaica Queens apartment when we first met them last year. In November, their children ages 11 and 15, who were born in the this country and are United States citizens, were told their father was to be deported in three days.

After our story aired, public outcry pushed immigration officials to unexpectedly put his deportation on hold and allow an appeal.

That lead the Immigration Board to cancel his order of deportation.

• Queens man facing deportation granted six-month reprieve to press his case in court

"Thank you for reopening my dad's case," said 15-year-old Rafi. "But I'd be a lot happier -- I don't want to seem selfish or greedy -- but I’d be a lot happier if you were this good to a lot of other people."

Several factors worked in Talukder's favor, including his kids' U.S. citizenship and his wife's illness.

Even more unique — Talukder has been living in the U.S. for 37 years all without incident — ever since he was brought here by an uncle when he was 13. For many years, he had no idea he was undocumented.

His attorney says he's has seen a last-minute reversal like this in less than 10 percent of the cases he's handled.

"Eventually, it's gonna take a while," said Talukder's attorney Edward Cuccia. "But, yes, sooner or later, Riaz Talukder will become an American citizen."

Even though a final order of removal had been issued for Talukder years ago, his deportation was not a priority under the Obama Administration, because he had never run afoul of the law.