A woman who has spent 12 years in Australia and is raising her three young children could be deported after a mistake made a decade ago on a visa application.Ying-Hsi Chou, originally from Taiwan, has spent more than a decade in Murray Bridge in South Australia, marrying her husband Ben and becoming part of the community.But she could be separated from her family and deported back to Taiwan, after the Department of Home Affairs accused her of deliberately misleading authorities when making a visa application.AS IT HAPPENED: The government reviving a 77-year-old law to stop price gouging at the pumpYing-Hsi Chou has been in South Australia for 12 years, and is a beloved member of the Murray Bridge community. NineShe accidentally put the wrong name in the application, and it could cost Chou her life in Australia."I want to stay," she said."I just want safety, stay here, take care of my family."She begged for the Home Affairs office to understand it was a simple mistake and not an attempt to deceive.READ MORE: Police tracked car's repeated trips before fatal shootout that killed Dezi FreemanYing-Hsi Chou could be split from her family if authorities don't intervene and grant her a visa. Nine"I made a mistake, I'm very sorry."She started a petition to be allowed to stay in Australia, with the Murray Bridge community rallying behind her.Her husband, Ben Cox, was heartened by the support the community had shown his wife, and urged her to stay upbeat."Just think positive," he said.HEALTH: Study confirms parents' worst fears: vaping causes cancerYing-Hsi Chou's husband Ben Cox. NineThe Department of Home Affairs can grant a temporary partnership visa on compassionate grounds but Chou has been told her circumstances don't meet the criteria, despite the prospect of her three children being separated from their mother.The state government is stepping in, promising to look into her case."There is a couple of families that we've been able to advocate for that have been able to stay together," Premier Peter Malinauskas said."That's an approach that we reserved the right to repeat into the future, and we'll assess the case on its merits."NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google PlayMake 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box hereSign up to our breaking newsletter here