 The Homeland Security Department still is requiring high-level approval before federal immigration agents can arrest fugitives, a rule quietly imposed by the Bush administration days before the election of Barack Obama, whose aunt has been living in the United States illegally.
The unusual directive from the Homeland Security Department came amid concerns that such arrests might generate “negative media or congressional interest,” according to a newly disclosed federal document obtained by The Associated Press.
The directive makes clear that U.S. officials worried about possible election implications of arresting Zeituni Onyango, the half-sister of Obama’s late father, who at the time was living in public housing in Boston. She is now believed to be living in Cleveland.*
A copy of the directive, “Fugitive Case File Vetting Prior to Arrest,” was released to the AP just over two months after it was requested under the Freedom of Information Act. It does not mention President Obama or any members of his extended family.
The directive is still in place, Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Kelly Nantel told the AP. It originally was distributed Oct. 31 by e-mail to immigration officers by an assistant director at the agency. Obama was elected president five days later. Nantel said the directive called for close supervision over any cases that could be high profile. She said it was not specific to Obama’s relatives.
The White House said late Sunday that Obama “has not contacted any government agency regarding Ms. Onyango’s case, nor has any representative of the president.” It said Obama’s administration wasn’t briefed on why the directive was issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and will consider whether to overturn it.
“Like other rules and directives issued by the previous administration, it will be reviewed and revoked if it does not serve the best interests of the American people,” the White House told the AP.
That clever Booooooooosh and his Trojan horses.  Please come to Cleveland for the springtime  . . . .
Related: Bob Woodward advising Obama WH
Some people are just more equal than others, I guess…
“That clever Booooooooosh and his Trojan horses.”
ROVE!1!!1!eleventy
Don’t worry…I seem to recall that actual messiahs have the uncanny ability to foil the connivances of cabals; until, of course, it figures into their plans…
Can Auntie Tooty haz your house?
Mike Rogers, a spokesman for Onyango’s immigration lawyer, said late Friday that Onyango remains in the country and her case is proceeding through the legal system. “She’s had a hard life but is not feeling sorry for herself,” Rogers said. “She’s strong for a woman who’s been beaten up like she has by life.” Of Obama, he said: “She’s very proud of her nephew.”
Her immigration lawyer has a spokesman? You’re shitting me.
Cleveland! I’m on the lookout. I’ll keep you all informed of my findings.
Yeah, hf, that’s what I was thinking, too.
Wasn’t this woman supposed to be living in public housing? How come all of a sudden she has a lawyer high-powered enough to work through a spokesman?
The One’s Light: it glows brightly.
She’s not illegal, she just lacks documents. There are no rules for Democrats anymore. You can take MILLLLLLLIONS from foreign governments and have no CONFLICT OF INTEREST as Sec. of State. You can cheat on your taxes for years, pocket checks for your self employment taxes and be give the IRS/TREASURY job. You can get a house and extra land at a discount via a 16 count felon and nobody looks. Your Pastor can DAMN America for 20 years, and you don’t get called on it.
Shall I continue?
Please.
Matthews had shut down similar banter on Hardball when the New York Daily News’ Liz Benjamin noted that the unconfirmed rumor mill was saying that Caroline Kennedy had an “affair issue.”
“Well, how about let’s stick to journalism,” Matthews said, over her. “I don’t do that here, Liz. Liz, if it’s just blogging, let’s drop it, OK?”
It was a somewhat controversial segment. But Matthews had his share of defenders. On CNN’s Reliable Sources this Sunday, Sally Quinn said that such unsubstantiated gossip had no place in journalism and complimented the MSNBC host for “cutting it off.”
They really and truly have no sense of shame at all.
Kind of like the NY-SLIMES and it’s hit piece on McCain during the campaign?
Why is anyone surprised. Matthews is about as biased as can get and not be an “entertainer” on Conservative talk radio. And Matthews really doesn’t ever talk factually. His opinions are his facts.
You know what would be funny as hell?
If Kenya appointed George Obama Ambassador to the U.S.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/2590614/Barack-Obamas-lost-brother-found-in-Kenya.html
Nope. Wasn’t the purely speculative story about a McCain affair on the NYT front page?
Not to mention the various Palin shit storms.
Has Andy finished dissecting Bristol’s uterus yet?
[…] Aunt Zeituni has friends in high places: The Homeland Security Department still is requiring high-level approval before federal immigration agents can arrest fugitives, a rule quietly imposed by the Bush administration days before the election of Barack Obama, whose aunt has been living in the United States illegally. […]
Maybe Barry can “Pardon” his Auntie and all will be well.
There’s two words in your comment I would have left out, but yeah, you’re right.
I won!!
I can do anything.
I am a hillbilly at heart, McGehee, don’t be hatin’ on my colloquialisms.
Was Matthews’ O’boner available for comment?
The two words were “of shame.”
Oh, lol, I thought you were busting me on “at all”.
You ought to know by now that when I nitpick about word usage, it’s for a very serious comedic purpose.
Most of my friends think making fun of my hillbillyisms is highly comedic.