Facebook Twitter Reddit Digg E-mail Print Rss FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- President Obama's uncle was stopped on suspicion of drunken driving, told police he planned to arrange bail through the White House, and was being held without bail on an immigration detainer, authorities said Monday.
Onyango Obama, 67, was arrested last week in Framingham, about 20 miles west of Boston. Police said he did not completely stop at a stop sign and nearly caused a cruiser to strike his sport utility vehicle. Police said that after being booked at the police station, Mr. Obama was asked whether he wanted to make a telephone call to arrange for bail. "I think I will call the White House," he stated, according to a police report filed in Framingham District Court. Police said Mr. Obama, who is originally from Kenya and is the half- brother of the President's late father, pleaded not guilty Friday and was being held without bail on a detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In a court document, ICE said he had an earlier deportation or removal order. His immigration status could not be confirmed immediately. Such orders are generally reserved for people living in the country illegally. An immigration detainer, used by ICE to identify people in jail or prison who could be deported, is a request to another law enforcement agency to notify ICE before releasing the person from custody so ICE can arrange to take over custody. A spokesman for ICE declined to comment on Mr. Obama's immigration case, and the White House had no comment. Mr. Obama was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to yield the right of way. Officer Val Krishtal said Mr. Obama registered 0.14 percent on a blood- alcohol breath test, which is above the state's legal driving limit of 0.08 percent. Michael Rogers, a spokesman for Cleveland immigration attorney Margaret Wong, said Ms. Wong will represent Mr. Obama. He confirmed that Mr. Obama is the half-brother of the President's father. as well as the brother of Zeituni Onyango of Boston. She made headlines last year when she won the right to stay in the United States after a deportation order. She came to the United States from Kenya in 2000 and was denied asylum by an immigration judge in 2004. She stayed in the country illegally. She was granted asylum last year by a judge. -- Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more.
