Aunt’s case is investigated

Washington — The government is investigating whether any laws were broken in the disclosure that Barack Obama’s aunt was living in the country illegally.

Obama’s half-aunt, who is from Kenya, was ordered to leave the U.S. years ago after an immigration judge denied her request for asylum, a person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no one was authorized to discuss the case.

The woman, Zeituni Onyango, is living in public housing in Boston and is the half-sister of Obama’s late father.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement asked its inspector general and the Office of Professional Responsibility on Saturday to investigate whether any policies were violated when information about Onyango was disclosed, spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said. The Homeland Security Department, which oversees ICE, cannot reveal details about an individual’s immigration status.

Information about Onyango’s case was disclosed and confirmed by two sources, one a federal law enforcement official. The information is known to officials in the federal government, but the Associated Press could not establish whether anyone at a political level had been involved.

On Sunday, Obama told CBS News’ Katie Couric that if his aunt was “violating laws, those laws have to be obeyed. We’re a nation of laws. Obviously that doesn’t lessen my concern for her; I haven’t been able to be in touch with her.”