HUNTINGTON STATION, N.Y. (AP) — A Central American boy and three of his housemates on Long Island are waiting anxiously to find out if they can stay in the United States permanently after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in the past year.
Seven-year-old Kevin Torres was smuggled across the Rio Grande River. He is one of about 57,000 unaccompanied minors who came to the country from Central America since last October.
His mother says she brought him across to reunite the family. Housemate Paola Flores says she brought her daughter over because she was worried gangs and crime would harm her.
But the children’s journey is not over. All face court appearances later this year.
Advocates say that because the children were fleeing gangs and crime, they have a good chance of staying in the country.
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