Spokesman: Obama does not know aunt´s immigration status

Source: Xinhuanet | 11-03-2008 10:09

BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Sen. Barack Obama didn't know his aunt Zeituni Onyango might be living illegally in the United States, campaign spokesman said as quoted by media reports Monday.

Onyango, 56, is the half-sister of Obama's Kenyan father.

An official familiar with the aunt's immigration status said on Saturday that Onyango remains in the U.S. four years after she was ordered to leave.

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

An order for her removal was issued in 2004, according to media reports. A judge rejected Onyango's request for asylum four years ago, and the Kenyan native is living in public housing in south Boston.

Asked about Onyango's immigration status, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman said the agency does not comment on individual cases.

However, "in any case, we prioritize enforcement," said spokeswoman Kelly Nantel. "We target those who pose a national security or public safety threat or who have a criminal background."

Obama writes in the introduction of his book "Dreams from My Father": "Most of the characters in this book remain a part of my life, albeit in varying degrees -- a function of work, children, geography, and turns of fate."

Obama last heard from Onyango about two years ago when she called to say she was in Boston, but did not see her there, media reported.

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

In his book, Obama describes 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 media 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," media quoted her as saying.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei