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Leakgate: Did Julie Myers Leak Obama Aunt’s Immigration Status?

11/1/08, 5:44 pm EST

Myers, last Halloween, posing with the employee in blackface whose costume she’d awarded “most original.”

Someone in the Bush administration improperly leaked the immigration status of Obama’s Kenyan aunt.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office is now conducting an internal investigation to determine the source of the leak.

A reasonable hypothesis, based on my own experience as a reporter, is that this off-the-record source had a previous relationship with one of the reporters — and like as not had earlier spoken to one of them on the record.

A Nexis search of previous stories by Eileen Sullivan and Elliot Spagat and Immigration and Customs Enforcement from 2008 turns up four potential “law enforcement official” suspects:

Spoke to Sullivan:
ICE assistant secretary Julie Myers (October 1)
Scott Hatfield, unit chief of the Human Smuggling division at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (July 7)

Spoke to Spagat:
Mike Unzueta, special agent in charge of investigations at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in San Diego. (October 22)
Joe Flores, group supervisor for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (January 12)

From this list of three careerist immigration officials and one deeply controversial political appointee the choice of a prime suspect isn’t difficult.

Julie Myers.

Myers is a loyal Bushie whose appointment was a clear case of nepotism — she is both the niece of Gen. Richard Myers and is married to John F. Wood the chief of staff for the homeland security secretary, Michael Chertoff.

Myers was such a controversial pick that she was initially installed at ICE in 2006 via a recess appointment, and she was not confirmed by the Senate until last December.

Her nemesis in the appointment process was one Claire McCaskill, who tried to block Myers with a “hold” last year. The Missouri Senator is a co-Chair of Barack Obama’s campaign.


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Comments

D | 11/1/2008, 6:16 pm EST

Obama’s aunt has made multiple illegal campaign contributions to her nephew Obama.

How about reporting on all the illegal campaign contributions made to Obama’s campaign

Igottherope | 11/1/2008, 6:21 pm EST

I wish someone would leak Obama’s immigration status.

RonMon | 11/1/2008, 6:32 pm EST

Gee, in 24 hours we found out more about his Aunt’s US Citizen status the we’ve found out about Obama’s in 2 years.

BiasedReporting | 11/1/2008, 6:35 pm EST

Apparently they only report if information detrimental to the Obama campaign gets leaked, then with innuendo they suggest something untoward is going on.

I checked and there was nothing on the Joe the plumber leak.

Seriously | 11/1/2008, 6:35 pm EST

Come on. Obama wrote about how much he loved this woman in his books, she came to his inauguration, and yet he doesn’t know she’s illegally living in the projects in Boston?

I must not understand what love means. I’m glad I have a family that looks out for each other better than his.

AndyK | 11/1/2008, 6:38 pm EST

Let’s see…she’s illegal but we want to blame that on somebody else. Conyers wants an investigation, where was all this concern from the moonbats when national security secrets were being leaked? LOL

TinFoilHat | 11/1/2008, 7:03 pm EST

Boy the whackos are out on this one, and I ought to know! Leaving aside whatever you feel about Obama’s Aunt’s situation ..

What Meyers did (using her office for political gain) is detestable and an abuse of office.

That said, it seems to be standard operating procedure among Bush employees. Bush’s demand for complete loyalty includes lawbreaking. After all, what’s more important, the LAW, or the Republican party.

Disgusting!

Shagata Ganai | 11/1/2008, 7:14 pm EST

Someone posted here under the s/n “I got the rope” ???

I wonder if my country will grow up, educate itself, and stand up as the beacon the Founding Fathers had in mind. We’re so full of fear and hate, the rulers are stealing everything, and the haters are cheering them on. I am not afraid of haters, but I fear my fascist government and wonder about the fate of America.

Mary | 11/1/2008, 7:50 pm EST

Obama is bringing in illegal aliens to steal American jobs and kill American citizens.

Obama should be prosecuted for trafficking in illegal aliens and be removed from the senate.

wandagb | 11/1/2008, 8:05 pm EST

Myers is a rarity in the Bush administration: a competent government bureaucrat. When asked, “Given the administration’s abysmal record of enforcing our immigration laws, how have you been allowed to do your job?” She responded, “When I interviewed with Chernoff I was promised that I would be able to enforce the laws.”
Hats off to this woman for doing the job that Congress won’t do – enforce our laws.

Dana Garcia | 11/1/2008, 8:26 pm EST

Perhaps the thoughtful Rolling Stone can find the American citizen who didn’t get subsidized housing because the illegal alien got it instead. As Adam Smith wrote, “mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.”

Incredulous | 11/1/2008, 8:26 pm EST

Was searching for any news about this totally-buried-by-MSM story (shocker.) So I come upon Rolling Stone’s unique twist – nice spin completely off the point. He lied about not knowing the racist pastor that well or Bil Ayers the bomber and others. And now’s he’s LYING again – and nobody has the guts to report honestly – period.

Auntigate | 11/1/2008, 8:27 pm EST

Typical Obama behavior. Doesn’t seem to know anything, even about his own family. How many other criminals are there in his family and among his friends and supporters?

Andy | 11/1/2008, 8:40 pm EST

Shouldn’t the investigation be about how and why this ILLEGAL alien is still in the U.S.?

How and why this ILLEGAL alien is living in taxpayer subsidised housing?

How and why this ILLEGAL alien has a job with the housing athority?

bored | 11/1/2008, 8:43 pm EST

when this is the most the wingnuts can focus on, i know obama has this in the bag. total non-event

Mario Kart | 11/1/2008, 9:07 pm EST

I’m on here to leak McCain-Palin’s lack of professionalism, tact, & respect for the Office of The Presidency of the United States of America.
& I can see all of that from my 7 houses in Russia

dj | 11/1/2008, 9:21 pm EST

I have no control of my brothers (McCain and I are in the same boat), let alone a pumpkin vine aunt – a half sister to a father I saw once in my life! Typical dirty tricks. If you knew where she was – why didn’t you deport her years ago? Instead you kept her for the Nov “surprise”. Love this democracy! What an example for the world to watch. Hope others aren’t moved by this bovine scatology. Vote for an intelligent President – It’s what we need to get out of this economic crisis.

Jason | 11/1/2008, 9:34 pm EST

The Joe the Plumber leaks have been investigated.

The story started with the owner of Fox News, who is a friend of both Bush Presidents.

People should wait for all the facts before passing judgment.

Sen Claire McCaskill (D-MO) kept asking Julie Myers for a list of business that ICE investigated for hiring illegal immigrants, but Myers could not provide a list.

McCaskill’s point was there would be fewer illegal immigrants if businesses were prosecuted for hiring them.

BlueSkyCO | 11/1/2008, 9:42 pm EST

Well, let’s find out who is “doing the dirty work, that American’s don’t want to do ..” (ie: Cleaning toilets, and scrubbing floors) at McCain’s 7 houses. Who’s cutting the grass, and plantin’ the flowers? Can they speak English?

You can bet, he has hired illegals to do HIS dirty work ’round the houseS.

To me, this Auntie-Gate is a non-issue.

Carry on Barack! Time is on your side, and HOPE is on the way!

Debra | 11/1/2008, 9:48 pm EST

Next thing you know, he’ll have George, his brother from Kenya, moving here as well as his 8 other half siblings (except the Indonesian half sister in Hawaii, who I bet even knew Auntie from Kenya was here illegally).

Mike | 11/1/2008, 9:56 pm EST

Why does Obama not have that switch in his head that says WRONG!!!!! RUNNING WITH RADICALS, RACISTS, TERRIORISTS AND CRIMINALS….turning a blind eye to Illegal Auntie who was here for his swearing in as a Senator? Did he think she flew home?
What is the real story of this guy who is the worst Liberal candidate I’ve seen run in my 50 years.

Joe | 11/1/2008, 10:50 pm EST

This is funny.I love hypocritical behavior. I love people hiding behind their keyboards.

As someone else already said, the fact that so many people are so desperate to make this a bigger issue than it really is, is really a testament to the desperation of a floundering party, campaign and culture.

Eileen Kase | 11/1/2008, 11:19 pm EST

Wow, how much more hate can you vent against another human being? Obama has been vilified beyond words!!! Fine, you hate him – just go ahead and elect your McCain and let’s have peace. Let’s watch where this country will be in the next 4 years! The dynasty will come to a close!!! Betcha!!!

TinFoilHat | 11/2/2008, 12:34 am EST

Mary, Incredulous, Auntigate, Andy, Where all the whack jobs come from? StupidMouthBreathers.com?

Save your racist poison for your favorite white supremacist websites.

Mike, criminals? racists? give me a huge break. This is the same sh1t you were peddling two years ago. None of it is new, you’re just recycling the same old guilt-by-association BS. Can’t you guys see? the public ISN’T BU.YING YOUR CR@P, so SHUT UP! Do you have anything positive to say about your OWN CANDIDATE?

Regarding Obama’s family, shame on you all passing judgement! Have you no common decency? You have basically ZERO FACTS about the situation and somehow you expect Obama to be in touch with ALL his relatives, all over the world?

Its time to face the music trolls. YOU ARE GOING TO LOOSE! Get used to it! And get behind the new COMMANDER IN CHIEF, or are you all traitors now?

Javier Martinez- Citizen via M | 11/2/2008, 3:27 am EST

My mother overstayed her visa. ICE caught her. She went to court and federal judge gave bail and order to leave USA within 4 months.

Mama overstayed and did not return to Mexico. Two months later ICE came and cuffed her and took her from Shamong NJ to JErsey City and then to the airport and dropped off in Mexico. If she returns she is subject to immediate arrest and departure. WHY FAVORS FOR AUNT OBAMA???? OBAMBA JUST LOST MY FAMILIES 5 VOTES!!!!

Javier Martinez- Citizen via M | 11/2/2008, 3:27 am EST

My mother overstayed her visa. ICE caught her. She went to court and federal judge gave bail and order to leave USA within 4 months.

Mama overstayed and did not return to Mexico. Two months later ICE came and cuffed her and took her from Shamong NJ to JErsey City and then to the airport and dropped off in Mexico. If she returns she is subject to immediate arrest and departure. WHY FAVORS FOR AUNT OBAMA???? OBAMBA JUST LOST MY FAMILIES 5 VOTES!!!!

Javier Martinez- Citizen via M | 11/2/2008, 3:27 am EST

My mother overstayed her visa. ICE caught her. She went to court and federal judge gave bail and order to leave USA within 4 months.

Mama overstayed and did not return to Mexico. Two months later ICE came and cuffed her and took her from Shamong NJ to JErsey City and then to the airport and dropped off in Mexico. If she returns she is subject to immediate arrest and departure. WHY FAVORS FOR AUNT OBAMA???? OBAMBA JUST LOST MY FAMILIES 5 VOTES!!!!

Javier Martinez- Citizen via M | 11/2/2008, 3:27 am EST

My mother overstayed her visa. ICE caught her. She went to court and federal judge gave bail and order to leave USA within 4 months.

Mama overstayed and did not return to Mexico. Two months later ICE came and cuffed her and took her from Shamong NJ to JErsey City and then to the airport and dropped off in Mexico. If she returns she is subject to immediate arrest and departure. WHY FAVORS FOR AUNT OBAMA???? OBAMBA JUST LOST MY FAMILIES 5 VOTES!!!!

Javier Martinez- Citizen via M | 11/2/2008, 3:27 am EST

My mother overstayed her visa. ICE caught her. She went to court and federal judge gave bail and order to leave USA within 4 months.

Mama overstayed and did not return to Mexico. Two months later ICE came and cuffed her and took her from Shamong NJ to JErsey City and then to the airport and dropped off in Mexico. If she returns she is subject to immediate arrest and departure. WHY FAVORS FOR AUNT OBAMA???? OBAMBA JUST LOST MY FAMILIES 5 VOTES!!!!

Javier Martinez- Citizen via M | 11/2/2008, 3:27 am EST

My mother overstayed her visa. ICE caught her. She went to court and federal judge gave bail and order to leave USA within 4 months.

Mama overstayed and did not return to Mexico. Two months later ICE came and cuffed her and took her from Shamong NJ to JErsey City and then to the airport and dropped off in Mexico. If she returns she is subject to immediate arrest and departure. WHY FAVORS FOR AUNT OBAMA???? OBAMBA JUST LOST MY FAMILIES 5 VOTES!!!!

Javier Martinez- Citizen via M | 11/2/2008, 3:27 am EST

My mother overstayed her visa. ICE caught her. She went to court and federal judge gave bail and order to leave USA within 4 months.

Mama overstayed and did not return to Mexico. Two months later ICE came and cuffed her and took her from Shamong NJ to JErsey City and then to the airport and dropped off in Mexico. If she returns she is subject to immediate arrest and departure. WHY FAVORS FOR AUNT OBAMA???? OBAMBA JUST LOST MY FAMILIES 5 VOTES!!!!

Tim | 11/2/2008, 5:43 am EST

The story was originally done by the Times of London. It’s owned by Rupert Murdoch, who owns Fox and takes an active interest in elections around the world.

Bob, Severn MD | 11/2/2008, 8:17 am EST

“The Associated Press reported Friday that Zeituni Onyango, a half-sister of Obama’s late father, was denied asylum by an immigration judge four years ago.” Tsk, tsk, the mistake will be corrected by the end of January and the ICE staffer who leaked this to the press will also be punished. How dare he/she invade the privacy of this good woman after she had been inconvenienced by a judge who obviously didn’t understand how to apply the law to Kenyans related to special people.

TinFoilHat | 11/2/2008, 10:14 am EST

four years ago there were no “special people” involved.

ReadMore | 11/2/2008, 10:30 am EST

Obama wrote about this aunt in one of his books about himself. She was present at his swearing-in as Senator. His campaign said that he last heard from her two years ago (when she was in illegal alien). She is not some obscure relation of whom he has no knowledge. Obama doesn’t seem to know about anything that his associates do. He’s like a child wandering among the agendas.

Anonymous | 11/2/2008, 10:55 am EST

Jed Clampett

In the last couple of years I’ve learned of family members I had never even imagined I had, and few of them, from what I’ve learned lately, deserve any assistance or even acknowledgment for that matter. To think that just because you recently learned you have a half sister, quarter aunt, eigth cousin thrice removed or something other, you have to drop everything, including a presidential campaign, to go take care of their needs is disingenous at best, dishonest and insane when you take into account the accusers in this fiasco(?), those who routinely espouse the credo of ‘pull yourself up by your own bootstraps’ work for what you have instead of receiving welfare or other assistance. Anyone else smell the hypocrisy?

Peace

amycakes | 11/2/2008, 11:46 am EST

If Julie Myers leaked this, she is a great American!

PartyCrasher | 11/2/2008, 11:46 am EST

Her illegal status aside.

Why was poor Aunty living in a Section 8 housing project in Boston?

Not enough room in the Obama Mansion?

I guess liberals are only compassionate with tax payers money, not their own.

Don`t even let me get into Joe Biden`s charitable contributions.

What a cheap bastard!

Charlie | 11/2/2008, 11:47 am EST

Obama’s aunt isn’t just one of 10 or 12 million illegal aliens. She’s one of the much fewer that have actually had a judge order that she be DEPORTED.

In other words, she’s a FUGITIVE ALIEN, not just an illegal alien.

A fugitive that is a citizen ends up with his face in the post office. An illegal fugitive alien must have her privacy protected by not telling the public that she has violated a deportation order????

Charlie | 11/2/2008, 11:49 am EST

A citizen that’s a fugitive: face on a poster in the post office.

An illegal alien that’s a fugitive from a deportation order: protected by privacy laws.

PartyCrasher | 11/2/2008, 11:55 am EST

Jed,

“Anyone else smell the hypocrisy?”

The hypocrisy you`re smelling is how liberal politicians who ridicule the selfishness of others are compassionate with tax payers money.
But there is not much evidence of it in their personal lives.

Peace

Diane | 11/2/2008, 1:02 pm EST

If Julie Meyers was doing her job, why was Obama’s aunt allowed to remain here?

Why would Obama take a chance and have his Aunt here?
I betcha he didn’t know!

And about his character,
he has shown more of it, more grace, poise then McCain/Palin the supposed “Christian” candidates.
He has not resorted to dirty politics or the name calling that they have.
I know all sorts of people, it does not make me one of them because I am an acquaintance.
George Bush knows and allowed the Bin Laden family to leave after 9/11. DO you call him a terrorist?
Cheney and Rumsfeld met with Sadam Hussein when we needed him. Are they terrorists?
Sarah Palin’s church prays away gayness and witches.
She was being Prayed over when some nasty things were being said about Catholics. wHY DIDN’T SHE GET UP AND WALK OUT?

Coach | 11/2/2008, 1:13 pm EST

Crashed: Reaching again? No, this is not going to change the mind of anybody that solidly supports Obama. People who support him, but are quietly looking for a reason NOT to, may change their mind……but this is not going to do it. No matter how much you spew about it.

Chris | 11/2/2008, 6:15 pm EST

Your bad spelling and grammar makes everyone take you less seriously, no matter how good your points are. I mean look at Sarah Palin…now imagine if she made good points…hard right?

bullsh!! | 11/2/2008, 7:03 pm EST

Tim

Anonymous | 11/2/2008, 7:16 pm EST

Jed Clampett

PC :D :D

it’s almost sad… if it wasn’t so hilarious and a confirmation of all I’ve been telling you for the last 2 years.

It’s OK, PC, we understand why you are frustrated, devolved into trying to smear the candidate of an opponent party as that character your party has embodied for such a long time.
You must be really saddened by the fact that your chosen candidate preferred to run a campaign against his opponent rather than in favor of himself. Had he tried to convince the public that he had better policies, had he even verbalized some sort of policy besides ‘not a tax and spend liberal, not Bush’ he may have had a chance, might have interested some Americans other than their ‘hardcore’ base. Luckily, there aren’t as many racist, easily deluded, uninformed, greedier than observant Americans as the GOP wants to have us believe. Hopefully, their command of the companies that make the vote counters is not so complete as to steal this election outright. Remember, they have it all figured out, they don’t have to steal it all, just a few strategic locations will do, that’s why OHIO and FLORIDA were such important states the last two elections.

Too bad there is a party in our nation that feels that deception, distortion, divisiveness and misdirection, in other words cheating, is the appropriate way to ascend to a leadership position.
I guess the ‘culture of cheating’ that American kids learn in high school and then polish in college really can be useful later in real life. I’m sure these guys will want to help us and the nation, because they are such ’stand up guys’. ;)

Peace

24AheadDotCom | 11/3/2008, 2:26 am EST

The post above isn’t reporting, it’s subpar yellow journalism.

And, the latest in the saga is that BHO wants his aunt deported, at the same time as he opposes deportation for millions of other illegal aliens:

24ahead.com/blog/arch ives/008288.html

What a wonderful person.

Thoughtfulgirl | 11/3/2008, 3:11 am EST

Once again Obama is blissfully “unaware” when something questionable comes to light. I wonder if Obama’s aunt had legal representation during her asylum hearing. If she had legal representation, then we should be asking who paid for it and did they have any connections to Obama. I doubt his aunt will ever be deported. It will be claimed that because of all of the media coverage her life will be in danger. I am sure Obama’s “Share the Wealth” agenda will keep her comfortable for the rest of her life. Only in America.

TinFoilHat | 11/3/2008, 4:44 am EST

24AheadDotCom

“he opposes deportation for millions of other illegal aliens”

Even the hardcore minutemen bozos don’t advocate “deporting” 12 million Mexicans. Are you nuts? What am I saying, Of course you are.

TinFoilHat | 11/3/2008, 6:03 am EST

Thoughtfulgirl,

Not very thoughtful of you. I have a feeling that your relatives all live in the same state, or at least within a thousand miles of you. What could you possibly understand about a person who has relatives all over the world. The expectation that Obama would know the current situation in all of their lives is uniquely American, and not at all well thought out.

DirtyDennis | 11/3/2008, 7:59 am EST

Thoughtless One. Believe half of what you see.

You have let your biased, stereotyped opinions ‘create’ an unsubstantiated reality in your mind and then you compound the error by blatantly displaying your lack of compassion and/or humanity.

Yours must be a sad, lonely existence.

grace | 11/3/2008, 11:50 am EST

Wow, the real issue here is that a GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL leaked information about an asylum case. Asylees are not just your average immigrants; they come to the US because of a fear of persecution….and then the media released her address, workplace, etc.

The basis for the assumption that she is illegal is that her first asylum hearing was dismissed, but appeals are common in asylum cases.

Republicans: Way to put an old lady at risk…but that seems consistent with your other policies (torture, preemptive war, nepotism, cronyism, etc).

Dej | 11/3/2008, 11:16 am EST

It is pretty basic
If you are not in the country LEGALLY then you are ILLEGAL.

BTW the meaning of IS is IS

D&C | 11/3/2008, 11:22 am EST

Democrat and a Republican find a man drown in a lake. The Democrat immediately begin to rant about how the government failed the man, lack of available life savers, unsafe roads, etc. The Republican swims out and saves him.

This whole thread is typical Democrat, try and find how government failed and blame rather than fixing the problem!

DirtyDennis | 11/3/2008, 11:57 am EST

DC,

Aesop you’re not.

Your eagerness and willingess to reduce the complexeties of social interaction in the 21st Century to simplistic, contrived parables reveals only shallowness and disregard for others.

My take on your ’soliloquy’ would be that the liberal would rush to aid his fellow man whilst the conservative would ask, “Is he one of us?”

I hope you will agree it is a matter of perspective AND that the issue deserves more consideration and deliberation that you profer us.

TinFoilHat | 11/3/2008, 12:58 pm EST

Democrat and a Republican find a man drowning in a lake. The Republican throws up his hands saying “it’s his fault, he was swimming in unsafe waters. He must take responsibility for himself.” While he’s ranting, the Democrat steals the Republican’s wallet, rents a boat, and goes out on the lake and saves the man.

That story has absolutely no meaning, but it makes me laugh.

Actually, the law is quite clear about the non-partisan nature of the INS. Normally steps are taken to protect the privacy of (yes even illegal) aliens. Though right-wingnuts don’t seem to be getting this point. Besides having offensive taste in Halloween costumes, Ms Meyers could eventually be indicted.

DirtyDennis | 11/3/2008, 3:30 pm EST

Tinman, I like yours best,

Facts | 11/6/2008, 9:31 pm EST

Facts:
1. Obama was born in America
2. Obama’s aunt is a refugee looking to find asylum in America
3. Obama’s aunt has a right to seek asylum in America: Refugee Act, passed in 1980
4. Julie Myers, if she is the source of the leak, broke the law by leaking the refugee status of Obama’s aunt to the press
5. Julie Myers had motive to leak her status due to rift between her and McCaskill
6. Julie Myers, perhaps an exemplary employee of I.C.E. in other regards, crossed the line if she is the source of this leak
7. Whomever the source of the leak, it was a pathetic attempt to alter the course of history. Futile and pathetic.
8. Obama is president.
9. Julie Myers resigned ICE two days after Obama won.
10. The timing of Julie’s resignation is suspicious, especially in light of fact #5.

cinnamonape | 11/7/2008, 5:56 pm EST

First off why in hell was Zeituni allowed to remain in the US? Was her court order up on appeal? Did her status change because of new factual information or conditions changing in Kenya.

It sound as if whoever in the ICE leaked this gave only partial information. If they knew where she was they could have easily deported her unless her status was under legal appeal. Clearly they didn’t…failure to deport her was THEIR fault. It had nothing to do with Obama.

BTW Zeituni is the half-sister of Obamas’ estranged (now deceased) father. She’s not even a close relative, though she is one of the relatives he met when he returned for a visit to Kenya.

ana` | 11/8/2008, 4:09 am EST

Did Reagan give ASYLUM to millions of illegal by entry and those whose visa had expired? Well, well the Republican party cannot continue to cry, it’s only ok when we do it. Wake up ignorant people, you guys almost vote for the same party that has destroyed our economy and standing in the world with two of the dumbest people in politics following by what we thought was the dumbest!

ladasha | 11/28/2008, 2:35 pm EST

I dont see what the big deal is, she was here illegally so who cares who told. I mean wasnt that person doing their job? Shouldnt the real issue be that she is here and she is and illegal, not the person who told. Thats whats wrong with our county today. Everyone is worried about who told on who instead of what the person did.

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