United States immigration judge Leonard Shapiro granted President Barack Obama's Kenyan-born uncle Onyango Obama a green card to stay in the U.S. on Dec. 3 after he avoided deportation since 1980, according to Reuters.
Judge Shapiro said he granted Obama the green card based on a federal law which grants green cards to those who arrived in the U.S. before 1972, Reuters reported.
Despite a 2011 drunk-driving arrest where Obama allegedly said he would call the White House after being stopped by police, Shapiro said the 69-year-old seems to be of "good moral character," Reuters reported.
"He appears to me to be a gentleman and I'm inclined to grant his application on that basis," Judge Shapiro said, according to Reuters.
Judge Shapiro, who granted asylum to President Obama's sister and aunt from Kenya, said although his escaping deportation was brought forward due to 2011 drunk driving charges, Obama has a good history of paying taxes, being involved in the community and is a "good neighbor and friend," Reuters reported.
Obama was arrested for drunk driving in August of 2011 in Framingham, Massachusetts where he's worked at a convenience store for more than 11 years. After being stopped by police, he allegedly said, "I think I will call the White House," but when asked in court if he actually spoke those words, said he couldn't remember, but said he "might have," Reuters reported.
Obama, who is a half-brother to President Barack Obama's father, but is not close with the President, came to the U.S. when he was 17-years-old in 1963 to attend school in Boston, but did not leave or renew his visa after it ran out in 1970, Reuters reported. When he was denied a green card in the 1980s and was asked to leave, he remained in the country.
Critics said Obama has seemingly received only a light tap on the wrist for avoiding his deportation and was allowed a work permit during his appeal of the deportation order because of favorable conditions, Reuters reported.
During the trial, Obama said he has spent his entire life in the U.S. and that he feels more American than Kenyan. He also added he suffers from various medical conditions like depression and high blood pressure and claims he would not find suitable medications in Kenya.
"I don't have any more friends there," Obama said. "I came when I was 17, now I am approaching 70. It would be mentally difficult (to move back). If you are young you can adjust, but at my age it would be difficult. I would have to start all over."
