UNDATED (CBS) -- It appears there's a deal to end the diplomatic crisis between the U.S. and China over political activist Chen Guangcheng.

Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng may be heading to the U.S. American and Chinese diplomats are working on a deal to allow Chen to study abroad and take his family with him. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says, "Over the course of the day progress has been made to help him have the future that he wants."

New York University issued a statement saying Chen has long established relationships with its faculty and has an invitation to be a visiting scholar.

The blind political activist, outspoken against his country's forced abortion policy, had been under house arrest in rural China. But he escaped to Beijing and took refuge at the American embassy just as Secretary of State Clinton is in China for trade talks.

Thursday Chen placed a call to an emergency hearing on Capitol Hill making a direct appeal to Clinton through an interpreter.

Claiming he fears for his safety, Chen said he wanted to leave with Clinton when she departs on Saturday. Clinton says, "... this is not just about well-known activists. It's about the human rights and aspirations of more than a billion people here in China and billions more around the world."

The U.S. says it will grant Chen and his family visas as soon as China makes its move.

Medical checkups show Chen is in good health but with three broken bones in his foot from when he escaped.