CHICAGO (AP) - Republicans signal they don't want to make a
political flap over disclosure that Barack Obama's aunt has been
living in the U.S. illegally.
Zeituni Onyango (zay-TUHN ohn-YAHN'-goh) is the half-sister of
Obama's late father and is from Kenya. An immigration judge
rejected her request for asylum four years ago and ordered her to
leave the country. But she's been living in public housing in
Boston and lists the Boston Housing Authority as her employer.
The McCain campaign calls it a "family matter" and says it has
no comment on the reports.
Rudy Giuliani, campaigning for McCain in Nevada, tells The
Associated Press he doesn't think the candidates' families should
be "hounded." He adds, "I don't think Barack Obama has anything
to do with a relative being here illegally."
Obama's campaign says he was not aware of her status and
"obviously" thinks that "any and all appropriate laws" should
be followed.
The campaign also says it's returning the small cash gifts
Onyango donated over several months to the tune of $230.