WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - Apr 17, 2012) - Judicial Watch, the organization that investigates and fights government corruption, announced today that it has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit, Judicial Watch v. Department of Homeland Security (No. 1:12-cv-00346), against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for records related to President Obama's illegal alien uncle, Onyango Obama, who was arrested in August 2011 on drunken driving charges in Framingham, Massachusetts.
On March 27, 2012, Onyango Obama admitted to the Framingham District Court that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, meanwhile, indicated that the agency would continue deportation proceedings against Obama. As reported in the Boston Herald:
"Now that (Mr. Obama's) criminal case has completed, ICE has communicated, in accordance with standard procedure, with his attorney regarding his removal pursuant to a previous final order by an immigration judge," agency spokesman Brian P. Hale said.
Onyango Obama reportedly was first ordered out of the country in 1992 but refused to leave.
Judicial Watch seeks the following records pursuant to a September 2, 2011 FOIA request filed with ICE:
All records of communications, contacts and correspondence between ICE and the following entities:
- The Framingham Police Department
- The White House
- The Executive Office of the President
- The Department of Justice
All records of communications between officials, officers or employees of ICE concerning or relating to Onyango Obama.
After Onyango Obama was released from federal custody at the Plymouth County House of Correction on September 8, 2011, via an "order of supervision," JW filed a second FOIA request, seeking access to "all records of communications, contacts and correspondence" between ICE and the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department," as well as the other organizations listed in the previous FOIA request.
By letter dated September 20, 2011, ICE acknowledged both FOIA requests. A response was due by October 19, 2011. However, after six months, DHS has failed to turn over any records, explain why they should be withheld, or indicate when a response will be forthcoming.
Obama, who, upon his arrest, said his one phone call would be to the White House, has indicated that he will fight ICE's efforts to deport him in a high profile proceeding that the Boston Herald conjectured could "drag on for years." While he fights deportation, Obama will be allowed to drive a car. He was supposed to lose his license for 45 days, but received a "hardship license," from the Massachusetts's Department of Motor Vehicles so that he could drive back and forth to his job at a liquor store. (Typically, illegal aliens cannot lawfully work in the United States,)
"Onyango Obama has already escaped deportation once. And given his family relationship to President Obama, the American people must be assured that the law is being impartially followed in this case. The Obama administration's decision to flout FOIA and stonewall our records request suggests that there is something to hide," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.
Visit www.judicialwatch.org.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Jill Farrell
202-646-5188