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.
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