Obama's Uncle is quietly released from jail and no one is keeping track of him

September 9, 2011
Obama's Uncle is quietly released from jail and no one is keeping track of him
Ed Lasky

Here we go again. Anyone surprised?

The Boston Globe's Maria Sacchetti reports:

Officials released President Obama's uncle from Plymouth County jail yesterday after holding him for more than two weeks on an immigration detainer for violating an order to return to his native Kenya in 1992.

US officials refused to disclose any other information about Onyango Obama, who remained in the United States undetected until Framingham police arrested him Aug. 24 on drunken driving and other charges.

Yesterday, federal immigration officials refused to say whether the 67-year-old Framingham resident posted bond, whether they are keeping track of his whereabouts, or even whether they are still seeking his deportation, raising questions about public accountability in the case.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement website confirmed Obama's release by listing him as "not in custody.''

Onyango seemed blithely unconcerned when he was arrested a brief time ago for drunk driving. At the time of his arrest, Obama allegedly told Framingham police, "I think I will call the White House to arrange bail." Must be nice to have friends in high places!

Immigration experts expressed dismay. One of them, Jessica Vaughan said that "the public deserves to know the circumstances of Obama's release, since he violated a deportation order and is accused of drunken driving. In a criminal court, she said, that would be public information."

Onyango joins yet another Obama relative to have violated our immigration laws. His younger sister, Obama's aunt, violated a deportation order involving her illegal immigration status. When her lawbreaking was revealed, a Boston immigration judge granted her asylum.

The liberal and Barack Obama-loving Boston Globe had to throw in this last line:

Obama had worked for the past five years at Conti Liquors in Framingham, where he was praised as a good worker and beloved employee.

Of course, that is completely irrelevant and trivial. What does that have to do with the article? Are we supposed to be okay with his being released and continuing to be a lawbreaker because he was a good employee at a liquor store? Recall, his last arrest occurred because he was driving while drunk. What if his next arrest is for killing people driving while drunk? This is not a man who works in a hospice or works for the Red Cross. This is a man who peddles alcohol to people. Who cares if he is a beloved employee? "Beloved" -- isn't that a little over the top?



Anyone keeping track of how many days Barack Obama's relatives have been breaking the law in America and getting a pass from our officials?