(CNN) – A member of Barack Obama's Kenyan family living in the United States is facing a possible immigration issue: the Associated Press reports that an aunt he speaks about in his memoirs is living in the United States illegally.
The AP says she remain in government housing in Boston, even though an immigration judge denied her request for asylum four years ago.
Zeituni 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.
The Obama campaign has not yet responded to a CNN request for comment.
Obama called the woman "Aunt Zeituni" in his memoirs, where he described her as the first Kenyan relative he encountered on his visit to his father's home country.
Onyango has donated at least five times to Obama's campaign in July and September, listing her occupation as a "volunteer resident health advocate." Federal campaign finance records indicate several contributions in amounts of $5 and $25.
Updated 11:37 a.m.: Bill Burton, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, issued the following statement in response to the AP's reporting about Sen. Obama's aunt: "Senator Obama has no knowledge of her status but obviously believes that any and all appropriate laws be followed. "
From CNN Politics
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Does this pay your mortage or high tution or does it reduce the high medical bill. Lets get serious and talk about important things in this election. Obama's aunts stay in the USA has no reflection on him.
I edge all news media, to report important things that will move us forward as one nation.
God Bless America
Wow, CNN I have lost all respect for you. And this matters....how? Isn't there real news to cover in the world? Leave the old lady alone.
The fascists are out in full force again. If McCain wins, we can all expect a nice little Gestapo action around here. That will be interesting...
How many of you, wo are questionig BO citisenship, know where McPain was born? How about Palin’s AIP involvment? Where are stories on this CNN? Is anyone investigeting this?
Shame on CNN or McCain People who are doing this...................................................
1) Not a citizen
2) Made political contributions to Obama campaign
3) This is illegal, throw her OUT!
4) is CNN not smart enough to comment on the illegal donation, can't put one and one together??
Obama will win. screw you Reps
seriously, why is this news? we have two exceedingly capable candidates who are remarkably well-read on the issues, and this crap still comes up. this is too important an election for meaningless trivia like obama's aunt.
Not criminal? Since when is being illegal not a criminal act? BTW, I cannot believe how upset all you are over this article. You running scared now? McCain in 08!
that is a big deal tax payers are paying for her to be here that is not right
It's the economy, stupid.
Obama/Biden 08
First off, CNN might want to learn to CONFIRM stuff before that post it as news. "MAY BE..." Really? You post news that has MAYBE's in it now?
Secondly, Obama has nothing to do with his HALF aunt's (that he doesn't have a deep relationship with) deportation status. If she was rejected for asylum, and is still living in public housing, that is the problem of the ADMINISTRATION! Which is Bush's administration, for not keeping current tabs on her whereabouts and getting her through the system efficiently. That is not Barack Obama's fault. Because let's be honest, if he had tried to help his aunt, detractors would cry he's abusing his power, and if he helped get her deported, the same detractors would be screaming he kicked out his poor immigrant aunt. He can't win either way with some people.
But who cares, right? Let's throw this woman to the wolves! Let's ignore the bigger issues like the VP candidate Sarah Palin being in violation of ethics in Alaska, or her husband being in the AIP party. Or McCain funding a project in which Khalidi was apart of, but he made sure to point fingers at Barack for being at a dinner with him and respectfully disagreeing with his views.
How about some responsible reporting, CNN?
So the AP "story" is based upon someone in the Bush Administration who broke the law and looked for a friendly place to "release" this information on the weekend before a Presidential election?
This is a non-story until AP goes public with the name(s) of its alleged sources so they can be promptly arrested and charged.
Giving this non-story space is nothing but sad and despicable rumor mongering.
Shame on the media.
I would say this indicates this is family of "struggles for survival"
Stephan of Kentucky,
Being the President is an applications process. That should have been address at that point if it had any validity.
GET A GRIP!!!
And here is your first pronunciation lesson!!
PRESIDENT OHH BAA MAA
Say it with me.
PRESIDENT OHH BAA MAA
If anyone with any authority at CNN reads these posts I hope you can tell us why this is news.
Why don't you make certain before starting rumors. Or would you like to have another 4 years like the past 8?
It's great to see that the majority of people give this story the weight it deserves........
NOT MUCH.
Just another diversion for McNotPresidentialMaterial and his side-kick.
We are no where close to being as STUPID as the "righties" think we are.....
Nice try
GOBAMA/BIDEN!
If Obama is elected, he needs to enforce our immigration laws. Does he think his relatives are exempt? How could he not have known about it? Is he going to return her donations? Illegal immigration is devastating the country. Foreigners don't get to decide which laws to follow and which ones to ignore. All the polls show that Americans want immigration laws enforced.
WHO CARES? Barrack in MCCAIN retire
1. I think the real story here is that this information was ILLEGALLY leaked to the media.
2. The timing is clearly suspect.
3. What happened to leaving families out of it?
and finally, CNN. It is IRRESPONSIBLE to go national with a news story before the facts are in. Two boos for you.
seriously?? another back hand plot to convince people to vote republican.
this is not relevant.
Wow, I'm glad I'm not being judged on what MY aunt has done in her life.....
Keep throwing...nothing sticking.
So now CNN gets their news from FOX?!