Zeituni Onyango
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Zeituni Onyango | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 29, 1952 |
| Occupation(s) | Computer programmer, mentor, public health advocate |
| Parent | Barack Obama, Sr.[1] |
Zeituni Onyango (born 29 May 1952 in Kenya) is an aunt of United States presidential candidate Barack Obama.[2][3][1] Onyango is the half-sister of United States Senator Barack Obama's late father Barack Obama, Sr..[1] Onyango is referred to as "Aunti Zeituni" in Obama's memoir Dreams from My Father.[4] Onyango became the subject of media attention in the final days of the 2008 U.S. presidential election in which Obama was the Democratic candidate.[5] Her political asylum case being leaked also started an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security.[5]
History
Barack Obama first met Onyango in 1988 in his first trip to Kenya.[2] Onyango worked as a computer programmer at Kenya Breweries in Nairobi during that period. Onyango states to have visited America multiple times since 1975, and to have returned to Kenya each time. 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.[2]
By 2008, Onyango had been living quietly in a South Boston public housing project, according to Boston Public Housing Authority officials.[6] 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 notoriety, and news of her relationship to Obama was surprising."[6] McGonagle said Onyango met the criteria to live in federally funded housing when she applied in 2003. He added “We have no affirmative responsibility I am aware of to further check on their status after they are initially deemed to be eligible.”[7]
Immigration status
Template:Legal status Onyango became the subject of media attention in the final week of the 2008 U.S. presidential election in which Obama was the Democratic 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 immigration judge to leave the country.[8] The Associated Press stated that this information was "disclosed and confirmed by two separate sources, one a federal law enforcement official".[9] Several news organizations described Onyango as an illegal immigrant.[10][11][12] 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.[13] Onyango's case resulted in a special nationwide directive within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requiring any deportations to be approved at the level of ICE regional directors before the U.S presidential election.[8]
MSNBC's Domenico Montanaro noted that thousands of people live for years in the US after receiving deportation orders.[14] "Fugitive apprehension teams usually target suspects with criminal records before they go after simple immigration violators".[14] Of an estimated ten million illegal immigrants the Washington Post noted that an estimated 550,000 persons that have been denied asylum continue to reside in the United States.[15][16]
Obama campaign donations
Onyango contributed money to the Obama campaign in small donations.[1] 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.[17] The Washington Post reported that Onyango had donated to the Obama campaign "at least five times" in July and September.[6] According to The New York Times, Onyango's contributions to the Obama campaign totalled $265, but since it is illegal for foreign citizens and immigrants without green cards to make political donations, the Obama campaign announced their intention to return the money.[18] "Given the information that has been brought to our attention, the contributions are being refunded," stated Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt, without elaborating to Onyango's status.[19]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d First read, MSNBC
- ^ a b c Barack Obama's aunt found living in rundown public housing estate
- ^ For Obama Aunt, a Quiet South Boston Life
- ^ Boston Housing Authority ‘flabbergastered’ Barack Obama’s aunt living in Southie
- ^ a b Obama's aunt the focus of visa scandal
- ^ 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
- ^ a b OBAMA: ICE, ICE, BABY
- ^ Family storm aside, Barack Obama feels wind of change
- ^ Disclosure About Obama's Aunt May Have Violated Privacy Policy
- ^ 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
