US visit visa - extension

[indiananu]

My parents are currently staying with me in Los Angeles. They arrived here on April 24th on visit visa. This is their second time here.
Their 6 months of stay ends in October 2011. I have a personal emergency where I need them to stay another 5 months or so past October, meaning I would like them to stay back in LA till March 2012.
Can anyone educate me on what I can do to "legally" keep them back?
One option that I was told is that they can go back to India for a short duration and then come back. In their defense, the trip is excruciatingly long and I would rather not have them travel back that far just to come back again.
Can they go to any neighboring country and come back; will that count that as an extension for another 6 months?
I am very concerned about the situation. So any advise (whatsoever) would be much appreciated.

Thanks to you all in advance.

Anish

[kabkaba]

If they have a really genuine reason they can file I-539 to extend their status. It must be received by USCIS before their I-94's expire. They are allowed to stay in the US while it is pending, but if denied their visas are void and illegal stay is counted from I-94 date.
Leaving and returning may not work as CBP officers are aware of this trick.
What kind of an emergency do you have?