Obama to review rule limiting immigration arrests

[babylonsister]

Obama to review rule limiting immigration arrests

By TED BRIDIS and EILEEN SULLIVAN
Associated Press Writers
AP Photo


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House is promising to reconsider a new rule requiring high-level approval before federal immigration agents can arrest fugitives. The Bush administration quietly imposed the unusual directive days before the election of Barack Obama, whose aunt has been living in the United States illegally.

The directive from the Homeland Security Department came amid concerns that such arrests might generate "negative media or congressional interest," according to a newly disclosed federal document obtained by The Associated Press.

The directive makes clear that U.S. officials worried about possible election implications of arresting Zeituni Onyango, the half-sister of Obama's late father, who at the time was living in public housing in Boston. She is now believed to be living in Cleveland.

A copy of the directive, "Fugitive Case File Vetting Prior to Arrest," was released to the AP just over two months after it was requested under the Freedom of Information Act. It does not mention President Obama or any members of his extended family.

The directive is still in place, Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Kelly Nantel told the AP. It originally was distributed Oct. 31 by e-mail to immigration officers by an assistant director at the agency. Obama was elected president five days later. Nantel said the directive called for close supervision over any cases that could be high profile. She said it was not specific to Obama's relatives.

more...

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA_AUNT?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Grey]

1. That's really odd..... nt

[babylonsister]

2. Why do you think so? nt