Obama aunt to stay in US

Washington, 2 April-(ANA)-A US judge has ruled that a Kenyan aunt of President Barack Obama can legally stay in the US until next year.

The half-sister of Mr Obama's father, Zeituni Onyango - who had lost a bid for asylum in 2004 - will then have to make a new application for asylum.

That hearing will decide whether Ms Onyango can stay in the US permanently.

Her immigration status became an issue during last year's election campaign. Mr Obama said he never knew his aunt was living illegally in the US.

Mr Obama has said he believes the case should be allowed to run its course in the usual way.

Ms Onyango, 56, wore a curly red wig to Wednesday's Boston's immigration court hearing, and declined to answer questions from journalists.

The judge set her case to be heard on 4 February, 2010. (ANA)

FA/ANA/2 April 2009---