Lawyer: US immigration court grants asylum to President Barack Obama’s African aunt

Lawyer: US grants asylum to Obama’s African aunt

CLEVELAND — Attorneys for President Barack Obama’s African aunt say an immigration court has granted her asylum, allowing her to stay in the United States.

Zeituni Onyango (zay-TOO’-nee ohn-YAHN’-goh), the half-sister of Obama’s late father, is from Kenya.

Her attorneys made the announcement Monday in Cleveland.

Onyango moved to the United States in 2000. Her first asylum request was rejected, and she was ordered deported in 2004. But she didn’t leave the country and continued to live in public housing in Boston.

In February, she testified on her own behalf at closed proceedings in U.S. Immigration Court in Boston.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Attorneys for President Barack Obama’s African aunt say a decision has been made in her bid for asylum in the United States.

Zeituni Onyango (zay-TOO’-nee ohn-YAHN’-goh), the half-sister of Obama’s late father, is from Kenya.

The decision from U.S. immigration officials hasn’t been announced. Onyango’s attorneys plan to make a statement Monday afternoon in Cleveland.

Onyango moved to the United States in 2000. Her first asylum request was rejected, and she was ordered deported in 2004. But she didn’t leave the country and continued to live in public housing in Boston.

In February, she testified on her own behalf at closed proceedings in U.S. Immigration Court in Boston.