Zeituni Onyango

President Barack Obama's paternal aunt Zeituni Onyango, of Kenya, was reported to have been living as an illegal immigrant in a disabled-access flat in Boston. In 2004, she was denied asylum by an immigration judge, but did not leave the country as ordered.CNN.com: Obama's aunt may be illegal immigrant

Onyango's deportation hearing was held on April 1, 2009. The judge continued Onyango's case until February 4, 2009, allowing her to stay in the United States until then. The hearing lasted just under 15 minutes.Boston Globe: Judge Allows Obama's Aunt to Stay in US Until Feb 2010 (April 1, 2009)

Onyango is the child of Obama's grandfather Hussein Onyango Obama and told reporters that she does not want to talk about her relationship with Obama until after the election.Times Online: Found in a Rundown Boston Estate: Barack Obama's Aunt Zeituni Onyango (October 30, 2008) A campaign spokesman for Obama's campaign has not yet confirmed the relation.BostonHerald.com: Barach Obama's Aunt May be Living in South Boston Housing Project (October 30, 2008)

On January 26, 2009, the AP said that the Bush Administration had lifted a rule which required approval at a high-level before "federal immigration agents can arrest fugitives," shortly after Obama was elected.MSNBC: Obama's aunt has April immigration hearing (January 26, 2009) President Obama's administration will now review the rule and will consider overturning it.Chicago Sun-Times: Obama Looks at Rule Linked to His Illegal Aunt (January 26, 2009) Onyango's case will be heard in immigration court in April 2009.MSNBC: Obama's aunt has April immigration hearing (January 26, 2009)

"I felt that I should help the children in my community. I love people and enjoy interacting with them . . . Also, I was idle, and this was a chance to get involved." — Onyango on volunteering as a mentorTimes Online: Found in a Rundown Boston Estate: Barack Obama's Aunt Zeituni Onyango (October 30, 2008)

"We went to drop Zeituni off at Kenya Breweries, a large, drab complex where she worked as a computer programmer. Stepping out of the car, she leaned over again to kiss me on the cheek, then wagged her finger at Auma. 'You take good care of Barry now,' she said. 'Make sure he doesn’t get lost again.'" — Excerpt from Dreams from My Father

"If she is violating laws those laws have to be obeyed. 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." — Barack Obama on the news of his aunt's illegal statusAssociated Press: Feds Investigating Leak About Obama's Aunt (November 1, 2008)