What is next for Obama's aunt ?
Days before the election, a small story broke that Obama's aunt, Zeituni Onyango, was in the U.S. illegally.
I'm curious what will happen to her. At the time, a statement given to the AP by Obama's campaign said, "Senator Obama has no knowledge of her status but obviously believes that any and all appropriate laws be followed." I've never done an immigration case, but my understanding is that if you are in the country illegally --- there is almost no recourse for you but to go back to your country of origin and apply to be a citizen there. But, I think if you are deported, there is a 10 year minimum wait until you can make that application.
There aren't many details about her status, but I think it was mentioned she had tried to get amnesty after coming to the U.S. on a tourist visa. Her request for amnesty was denied - and I think you only have a year to request amnesty in the first place. After her request for amnesty was denied, she was ordered to leave the U.S. in 2004 - and obviously didn't.
So will she get the same treatment as other undocumented aliens here? Or will she be given special consideration? I'm sympathetic for sure, as we need to find a better way to deal with all undocumented workers, but she shouldn't get special treatment.
