Guess which candidate has family members living in the US illegally

[DrunkBomber]

Campaign: Obama didn't know aunt's immigration status

 

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Barack Obama didn't know his aunt might be living illegally in the United States, as media outlets are reporting, and his campaign will return contributions she made, an aide said Saturday.

The half-sister of Sen. Barack Obama's Kenyan father reportedly lives in this complex in South Boston.

 

The half-sister of Sen. Barack Obama's Kenyan father reportedly lives in this complex in South Boston.

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"Sen. Obama has no knowledge of her status but obviously believes that any and all appropriate laws [should] be followed," campaign spokesman Bill Burton said.

 

According to The Associated Press, a court refused four years ago to accept the asylum application of Zeituni Onyango, 56, the half-sister of Obama's Kenyan father. However, she has continued to live in a public housing complex in South Boston, AP reported.

 

Onyango's refusal to leave the country would be an administrative violation, not a criminal matter.

 

CNN has not been able to independently verify her immigration status. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said the agency "is prohibited from commenting on any individual's status."

 

Democratic U.S. Rep. John Conyers of Michigan fired off a letter asking Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to investigate whether someone leaked the information to the media in an effort to damage Obama.

 

"The AP reports that it 'could not establish whether anyone at a political level in the Bush administration or in the McCain campaign had been involved,' a very disturbing (suggestion) indeed," read the letter from Conyers, who is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

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"This leak is deplorable and I urge you to take immediate action to investigate and discipline those responsible."

 

The Department of Homeland Security had no immediate response to the letter.

 

The Obama campaign did not indicate whether Obama has been in touch with his aunt, whom he describes in his book "Dreams from My Father."

 

The Boston Housing Authority did not return calls or an e-mail from CNN on Saturday.

 

No one answered calls Saturday to a phone number listed under Onyango's name.

 

In his book, Obama writes of meeting his aunt when he visited Kenya as a young man.

 

"A tall, brown-skinned woman was smiling beside us, and Auma [Obama's half-sister] turned and said, 'Barack, this is Auntie Zeituni. Our father's sister," Obama wrote.

 

"'Welcome home,' Zeituni said, kissing me on both cheeks."

 

It is not clear when Onyango arrived in the United States.

 

She told the London Times that she travels back and forth between the United States and Kenya.

 

"I have been coming to America ever since 1975. I always come and go," the Times quoted her as saying.

 

Federal campaign finance records indicate Onyango contributed at least $65 to Obama's campaign in July and September, in $5 and $25 increments. Obama spokesman Burton said the campaign has identified $265 in contributions from Onyango, including those not yet reflected in federal filings, and plans to return the funds.

 

The gifts would appear to violate federal campaign finance law, which prohibits political donations by non-U.S. citizens.

 

"The responsibility is the campaign's to ensure the funds they receive are from permissible sources in appropriate amounts," Bob Biersack, a spokesman for the Federal Election Commission, told The Times of London.

 

So, Obamas aunt has been living illegally here for 5 years in government assisted public housing. She has also donated money to his campaign, and for those who dont know, arent allowed to accept donations from non citizens. Obama wrote about her in his book and now claims he had no idea this was going on.

[StrangeSox]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15161.html

 

HENDERSON, Nev. — Barack Obama did not know a relative was living in the United States illegally for the past nearly four years prior to today's Associated Press report, "but obviously believes that any and all appropriate laws be followed," the campaign said Saturday in a statement.

 

The Democratic nominee last heard from Zeituni Onyango, who attended his swearing-in ceremony to the U.S. Senate in 2005 and is a half-sister of Obama's late father, two years ago, when she called to say she was in Boston, the campaign said. Campaign officials said they did not assist her in getting a tourist visa and had not known that she was living in America.

 

News of Onyango's legal status, which the AP confirmed through sources, including a federal law enforcement official, provided an unwelcome diversion for the Obama campaign during its final push toward Election Day and stoked suspicions among supporters of a political motive behind the timing of the leak.

 

“The American people are pretty sensible,” said Obama chief strategist David Axelrod, “and I think they are pretty suspicious of things that are dumped in the marketplace 72 hours before a campaign, so I am not concerned about that.”

 

Asked whether he was suggesting there were political motives from a Republican administration, Axelrod said: “I am not saying anything at this point.”

 

Obama did not respond to questions shouted at him by members of the traveling press corps as he exited Caesars Palace hotel here Saturday morning with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) at his side.

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The Associated Press wrote that it confirmed the deportation case with two separate sources, one of them a federal law enforcement official. The information they made available is known to officials in the federal government, but the AP said it could not establish whether anyone at a political level in the Bush administration or in the McCain campaign had been involved in its release.

 

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers has written to Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff requesting an immediate investigation of the leak, which he deemed "deplorable" and said "was not the first leak of law enforcement information apparently designed to influence the coming presidential election," referring to an ongoing investigation of voter fraud by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN.

 

 

 

Kelly Nantel, a spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, would not comment on the leak or whether the agency was looking into it.

 

"ICE is prohibited from commenting on any individual’s status or the status of any case,” she said. “I would also add that as a matter of practice, we don't discuss law enforcement operational details.”

 

Given the timing, the case led to an unusual nationwide directive within ICE requiring that any deportations before Tuesday's election be approved at least at the level of the agency's regional directors, a U.S. law enforcement official told the AP.

 

John McCain seems to be staying far away from the issue, making no mention of Obama’s family in his two Virginia appearances this morning. His press aides have also remained quiet, issuing no statement about her immigration status.

 

Obama met Onyango, 56, when he traveled to Africa as an adult, and she earned a mention in his 1995 memoir "Dreams From My Father," in which he referred to her as "Auntie Zeituni."

 

The campaign said Obama has seen Onyango several times over the years, including during a second trip to Kenya with his wife, Michelle. Onyango previously traveled to Chicago on a tourist visa at the Obamas' invitation about nine years ago before visiting friends on the East Coast and returning to Kenya, according to the campaign.

 

Axelrod said Obama did not have a close relationship to Onyango.

 

The campaign will return $265 in contributions that Onyango made to Obama, citing prohibitions against foreign nationals donating to American campaigns.

 

The Associated Press reported that Onyango had been instructed to leave the country four years ago by an immigration judge who rejected her request for asylum from her native Kenya. Onyango is living in public housing in Boston.

 

Senior strategist Robert Gibbs shut down any line of questioning Thursday when news broke about Obama's relative, telling reporters, "I'm not going to get into it."

 

Reporters asked, "Why not?"

 

"I'm just not," Gibbs said.

[DrunkBomber]

If he cant keep his own illegal immigrant family members out of the country how can we trust him with Mexicans.

[KipWellsFan]

If he cant keep his own illegal immigrant family members out of the country how can we trust him with Mexicans.

 

I really hope you're not serious.

[DrunkBomber]

I really hope you're not serious.

I didnt think green was needed for that. I do however think this is a big deal and I dont believe Obamas response to it for one second.

[Texsox]

Obama thinks so much of his aunt he allows her to live in public housing and never visits her? It's like he hardly knows her. Shameful.

 

If this was McCain, he probably would just give her one of his seven houses. McCain understands family.

 

Who do you want as President?

[mr_genius]

If this was McCain, he probably would just give her one of his seven houses.

 

haha

[Dick Allen]

So, Obamas aunt has been living illegally here for 5 years in government assisted public housing. She has also donated money to his campaign, and for those who dont know, arent allowed to accept donations from non citizens. Obama wrote about her in his book and now claims he had no idea this was going on.

I'm sure Obama and McCain both know every single name on their donation list. It was $265. It will be returned. He wrote about meeting her in 1971. 37 years ago. He was 10. Considering he never saw his father again, he may never have seen her. But don't let facts and common sense get in the way for some last ditched effort BS. Also your thread title says family members, who are the additional people?

Edited November 2, 2008 by Dick Allen

[Balta1701]

Well, I would like to add to this discussion that I expect everyone who was outraged over the fact that state workers in Ohio illegally accessed information about my Halloween Costume and his tax issues will be equally outraged over the fact that this information was illegally leaked from the Immigration and Customs department.

 

Seriously...this country's laws regarding personal information need a gigantic overhaul. They're just a disaster when these things keep happening over and over.

[DrunkBomber]

Well, I would like to add to this discussion that I expect everyone who was outraged over the fact that state workers in Ohio illegally accessed information about my Halloween Costume and his tax issues will be equally outraged over the fact that this information was illegally leaked from the Immigration and Customs department.

 

Seriously...this country's laws regarding personal information need a gigantic overhaul. They're just a disaster when these things keep happening over and over.

About what I expected, a family member of Obamas is here illegally, violates election rules and is living in government assisted housing and whoever leaked the info was at fault.

[DrunkBomber]

I'm sure Obama and McCain both know every single name on their donation list. It was $265. It will be returned. He wrote about meeting her in 1971. 37 years ago. He was 10. Considering he never saw his father again, he may never have seen her. But don't let facts and common sense get in the way for some last ditched effort BS. Also your thread title says family members, who are the additional people?

The s was a typo I couldnt change because it was a thread title, but Im getting the responses I expected. Im sure if it was McCains family it would be a huge deal. I know its not as big as a private jewish groups opinion on Obama but that seemed to really ruffle some feathers.

[KipWellsFan]

About what I expected, a family member of Obamas is here illegally, violates election rules and is living in government assisted housing and whoever leaked the info was at fault.

 

Yah, member of Obama's family...

 

They're about as close as Dick Cheney and Barack Obama.

 

In the meantime here's what other Republicans have been doing. Quality human beings these types.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/worl...icle5063279.ece

 

The Republican party desperately needs some time in the wilderness.

[DrunkBomber]

Yah, member of Obama's family...

 

They're about as close as Dick Cheney and Barack Obama.

 

In the meantime here's what other Republicans have been doing. Quality human beings these types.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/worl...icle5063279.ece

 

The Republican party desperately needs some time in the wilderness.

She was worthy enough of being talked about in his book. I guess it shouldnt matter that much though, he said she should get tossed...I guess I agree with him on something. I like his brothers keeper comments even more now. If I was living in Boston I would be pretty pissed about my tax dollars paying for that p.o.s. to have assisted housing.

[DrunkBomber]

Quality human beings these types.

 

Ya, those scum bags. They should be great humanitarians like Bill Ayers.

[Balta1701]

Ya, those scum bags. They should be great humanitarians like Bill Ayers.

Seriously, this just makes you look silly. I agree, the other post doesn't fit in to this thread, but at this point can't you at least give us the dignity of not pretending like the Ayers stuff isn't just insanity?

[DrunkBomber]

Seriously, this just makes you look silly. I agree, the other post doesn't fit in to this thread, but at this point can't you at least give us the dignity of not pretending like the Ayers stuff isn't just insanity?

Like you said, his post didnt fit in here. Obama fan boys can never take anything without freaking out. I agree the Ayers stuff is over blown for sure, but he is the one who brought up a point that included Ayers and then called republicans scumbags. I was pointing out the irony.

[Dick Allen]

The s was a typo I couldnt change because it was a thread title, but Im getting the responses I expected. Im sure if it was McCains family it would be a huge deal. I know its not as big as a private jewish groups opinion on Obama but that seemed to really ruffle some feathers.

Really? Where's the individual thread that has to be made about McCain's brother's 911 call? Is the s really a typo? You know he was supposedly paling around with terrorists. The republicans had another guy with Ayers that supposedly tudored Obama, but when they found out the guy died when Obama was 10 and even the Ayers stuff wasn't doing what they hoped, they backed off a bit. Its just campaign talk is what McCains said.

Edited November 2, 2008 by Dick Allen

[mr_genius]

drunkbomber, do you really think this is an issue? i mean really, does it matter that Obama has a relative that stayed past their visa? is this what it has come too?

 

that and the crazy anti-McCain stuff, like he gave up national security secrets while being tortured. I have really had enough from both sides.

 

 

[DrunkBomber]

Really? Where's the individual thread that has to be made about McCain's brother's 911 call? Is the s really a typo? You know he was supposedly paling around with terrorists. The republicans had another guy with Ayers that supposedly tudored Obama, but when they found out the guy died when Obama was 10 and even the Ayers stuff wasn't doing what they hoped, they backed off a bit. Its just campaign talk is what McCains said.

Well, I posted the article and never said anything about any additional family members, do you need me to draw you a map?

[DrunkBomber]

drunkbomber, do you really think this is an issue? i mean really, does it matter that Obama has a relative that stayed past their visa? is this what it has come too?

 

that and the crazy anti-McCain stuff, like he gave up national security secrets while being tortured. I have really had enough from both sides.

I think its message board worthy and I also think its a bigger deal than a lot of the bs posted about McCain. The thing that bothers me about it is how blindly some people will defend this stuff and then go and post garbage about McCain.

[Dick Allen]

I think its message board worthy and I also think its a bigger deal than a lot of the bs posted about McCain. The thing that bothers me about it is how blindly some people will defend this stuff and then go and post garbage about McCain.

So, its right to post garbage about Obama, but defend any criticism of McCain. Its just wrong if its the other way around.

[greg775]

Folks, the next president of the U.S. is a huge White Sox fan. He will be throwing out the first pitch in the Cell on Opening Day next year for sure.

A Sox fan is president. Wow!

 

--I've never voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in my life before this. McCain's choice of Palin was just DUMB!

Her stupid sayings and acting like the pretty woman she is is insane. Horrible choice by John.

Edited November 2, 2008 by greg775

[mr_genius]

I think its message board worthy and I also think its a bigger deal than a lot of the bs posted about McCain. The thing that bothers me about it is how blindly some people will defend this stuff and then go and post garbage about McCain.

 

stooping to the level of an ignorant Obama fanatic is a step in the wrong direction. just look at the ideas you are embracing by moving in the same direction as them.

[Dick Allen]

The question I have is what type of responsibility is Obama supposed to take for his aunt? An aunt who is a half sister of his father who has been dead for 26 years, and a guy Barack saw once the last 17 years he was alive. For all we know, he may not have even spoken to her since he met her 37 years ago. Should I be held accountable for my aunt's actions? Should you?

Edited November 2, 2008 by Dick Allen

[greg775]

This is dumb. Who cares about Obama's aunt? He's gonna win because McCain picked a pretty bimbo as his running mate.