President Obama’s uncle got the OK to stay in the U.S. Tuesday by an immigration judge in Boston. Onyango Obama ignored his deportation orders more than two decades ago but was given permanent resident status after he testified that he has lived in the U.S. for more than half a century. “He has earned his privilege to stay in the United States. He has been here for 50 years,” said Onyango’s Attorney, Margaret Wong, Tuesday before the hearing.

Onyango is the half-brother of President Obama’s late father. He had come to the U.S. in 1963 from Kenya on a student visa that expired in 1970. That means that he has been living in the country illegally for more than 4 decades. “He’s so happy to stay here because he loves this country,” Ms. Wong said. Onyango described America as the “Land of Opportunities.”

When asked during the hearing whether he had any relatives in the U.S, Onyango said he had two nieces, a nephew and a sister. Asked who the nephew was, Onyango Obama replied: “Barack Obama. He’s the President of the United States.”

Onyango’s immigration status became public in 2011 when he was arrested in Framingham, Massachusetts for driving under the influence. After the arrest, he is alleged to have told the police, “I think I will call the White House.” When asked by the prosecutor to clarify whether he actually said those words, he said he might have said those words.

However, his attorney called him a wonderful older gentleman. While reading the ruling, judge Leonard Shapiro said that Onyango qualified for legal permanent residency since he has a good moral character and that the provision in federal immigration allows immigrants who have lived in America since 1972 to apply for a “green card”.

Is Obama’s Uncle Getting Special Treatment?

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