Also see: Chertoff's Card
"Government investigates leak about Obama's aunt
WASHINGTON - The government is investigating whether any laws were broken in the disclosure that Barack Obama's aunt was living in the country illegally.
Obama's half aunt, who is from Kenya, was ordered to leave the United States years ago after an immigration judge denied her request for asylum, a source told the Associated Press late Friday on condition of anonymity because no one was authorized to discuss the case. The woman, Zeituni Onyango, has been living in public housing in Boston and is the half-sister of Obama's late father.
An ILLEGAL living in PUBLIC HOUSING?
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement asked its inspector general and the Office of Professional Responsibility on Saturday to investigate whether any policies were violated when information about Onyango's case was publicly disclosed, ICE spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said. The Homeland Security Department, which oversees ICE, cannot disclose details about an individual's immigration status.
Obama's campaign said Saturday he did not know his aunt was living in the United States illegally, and said it was returning $260 that Onyango had contributed. Federal law prohibits foreigners from making political donations.
"If she is violating laws, those laws have to be obeyed," Obama said in an interview with Katie Couric aired last night on CBS News. "We're a nation of laws. Obviously that doesn't lessen my concern for her. I haven't been able to be in touch with her. But I'm a strong believer you have to obey the law (AP)."
Sounds good; now let's see if he does it.
