Zeituni Onyango
An editor has nominated this article for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion, which will decide whether or not to retain it. |
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged with Family of Barack Obama#Zeituni Onyango and Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Zeituni Onyango. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2008. |
Zeituni Onyango (born 29 May 1952 in Kenya)[1] is a relative of U.S presidential candidate Barack Obama[2].
Obama's campaign confirmed that Zeituni Onyango was his aunt.[3]Onyango is the half-sister of United States Senator Barack Obama's late father.[3] Onyango is referred to as "Aunti Zeituni" in Dreams from My Father, a memoir written by Barack Obama.[4] Barack Obama first met Onyango in 1988 in his first trip to Kenya.[1] Onyango worked as a computer programmer at Kenya Breweries in Nairobi during that period. Onyango claims to have visited the United States multiple times since 1975, and to have returned to Kenya each time. Onyango suffers from a physical disability and uses a walking stick.[1] Onyango worked as a volunteer computer systems co-ordinator for the Experience Corps, a program in which adults over 55 mentor children in their communities.[1]
By 2008, Onyango had been living quietly in a South Boston public housing project, according to Boston Public Housing Authority officials.[5] William McGonigle, deputy director of the Authority, called Onyango a "delightful lady" and "a great resident" who did a "wonderful job" as a public health advocate. He commented that Oyango was "not looking for fame or notoriety, and we were as surprised as anyone to learn she was related to the Democratic nominee."[5] McGonagle said Onyango, a native of Kenya, met the criteria to live in federally funded housing when she applied in 2003. He added “We check with the applicant about their citizenship status at the time of application. We have no affirmative responsibility I am aware of to further check on their status after they are initially deemed to be eligible.”[6]
Onyango became the subject of media attention in the final week of the 2008 U.S. presidential election in which Barack Obama was a candidate. The impetus for the scrutiny was an article by the Associated Press which reported that Onyango was living in the United States without valid immigration status, after being asked by a U.S. immigration judge to leave the country.[7] The Associated Press stated that this information was "disclosed and confirmed by two separate sources, one a federal law enforcement official".[8] Several news organizations described Onyango as an illegal immigrant to the United States. [9] [10] [11]
In response, Obama stated that he did not know that Onyango was living in the United States without valid immigration status and that he believes the appropriate laws should be followed.[12] Onyango's case resulted in a special nationwide directive within Immigrations and Customs Enforcement requiring any deportations to be approved at the level of ICE regional directors before the U.S presidential election.[7]
Onyango contributed money to the Obama campaign in small donations.[3] Federal Election Commission records show that she donated multiple times to her nephew's campaign, and records compiled by The Huffington Post show she gave a total of $260 to the campaign.[13] The Washington Post reported that Onyango had donated to the Obama campaign "at least five times" in July and September, "three times for $5 and twice for $25".[5] According to the New York Times Onyango's contributions totalled $265, to the Obama campaign, and since it is illegal for foreign citizens and immigrants without green cards to make political donations, the Obama campaign announced that they are returning the money.[14]Obama aides refused to answer whether returning the money was an acknowledgement that Onyango was an illegal alien. "Given the information that has been brought to our attention, the contributions are being refunded," stated Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt, without elaborating. [15]
References
- ^ a b c d Barack Obama's aunt found living in rundown public housing estate
- ^ For Obama Aunt, a Quiet South Boston Life
- ^ a b c First read, MSNBC
- ^ Boston Housing Authority ‘flabbergastered’ Barack Obama’s aunt living in Southie
- ^ a b c For Obama Aunt, a Quiet South Boston Life
- ^ Boston Housing Authority: Aunt Zeituni OK by federal rules
- ^ a b Associated Press AP: Obama aunt from Kenya living in US illegally
- ^ Obama says he didn't know aunt's illegal status
- ^ Obama’s immigrant aunt exposed
- ^ Obama's presidential campaign rocked by revelation his aunt is an illegal immigrant in the U.S.
- ^ Obama's illegal immigrant aunt problem
- ^ Obama says he didn't know aunt's illegal status
- ^ Aunt Zeituni in Hub, Obama campaign says
- ^ Gardiner Harris (2008-11-01). "Obama Unaware of Status of Aunt, Campaign Says". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ AFP Obama returns aunt's donation after illegal immigrant report
