Boy Who Crossed Border Alone Can Stay

An immigration judge Monday ruled that a 10-year-old Salvadoran boy who was apprehended crossing the U.S. border alone could stay in the United States at least until next summer.

Judge William Martin’s decision will allow Jonathan Martinez to stay with his mother in Inglewood while the family prepares an asylum claim to keep him here, lawyer Julianne Donnelly said.

Donnelly said the basis of the application would be that Jonathan does not have anyone to take care of him in El Salvador, making him vulnerable to gangs and violence. He was expected back in court in August of next year, when the asylum case would be heard.