Onyango Obama was arrested last week in Framingham, about 20 miles west of Boston, after police said he made a rolling stop and nearly crashed.
Police said when asked if he wanted to make a phone call, the president's uncle said, "I think I will call the White House."
Onyango Obama, who is originally from Kenya, is being held without bail.
A spokesman for ICE declined to comment on Obama's immigration case, and the White House had no comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
