DEBATE OVER ELIAN GONZALEZ BECOMES INCREASINGLY POLITICIZED 

One of the biggest immigration stories in years shows no sign of ending soon, and despite claims to the contrary from all sides, it is clear that the Elian Gonzalez case is rapidly becoming a highly political battle. 

Both of Elian’s grandmothers have been in the US this week.  This first attempt to meet with their grandson was thwarted by the inability to decide on a meeting place.  Following an INS order to the Miami family, a meeting place was finally determined, and the reunion took place on Wednesday. 

The grandmothers also met with sympathetic members of Congress.  While they may not have overwhelming support for their desire to see their grandson reunited with his father, there are many who agree with them.  Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT), who has long supported attempts to normalize relations with Cuba, called the idea of Congress determining Elian’s fate “pathetic.”

The judge initially assigned to hear the federal court lawsuit filed by the Miami Gonzalez family has withdrawn from the case.  The reason for the withdrawal is a possible perception of bias because the judge’s son had hired the Gonzalez family spokesman to work in his campaign for judicial election.  He also has a daughter who works for the US government.  The new judge has said a hearing will be held in about six weeks.

According to papers filed by the government in response to the federal lawsuit, the Miami family has tried to bribe Elian’s father in an attempt to make his stop fighting for his son’s return.  These papers allege that Juan Miguel Gonzalez has been offered a car, a house, and million to come to the US.  These charges are denied by the Miami family.

A bill has been introduced in the Senate to give Elian citizenship.  The bill is sponsored by Connie Mack (R-FL), Robert Torricelli (D-NJ), Jesse Helms (R-NC), Trent Lott (R-MS), and Bob Graham (D-FL).  Because of the bad weather in Washington, D.C., the bill will not be debated until next week at the earliest.  Many Democratic Senators have promised they will filibuster the bill.  A filibuster is a delaying mechanism in which the legislators opposed to the bill under debate talk and talk to avoid a vote on the bill.  A vote of two-thirds of the Senators is required to end a filibuster. 

One perhaps unexpected result of this controversy is that increasing attention is being given to the plight of other children who arrive in the US without a parent.  Most children’s experiences with the INS are dramatically different from Elian’s.  While the INS claim it does not like detaining children, often it detains them anyway.  Moreover, there is seldom this level of judicial involvement, with the INS having the final say on the fate of the child. 

One perhaps unexpected result of this controversy is that increasing attention is being given to the plight of other children who arrive in the US without a parent. Most children’s experiences with the INS are dramatically different from Elian’s. While the INS does not like detaining children, often it does. Moreover, there is seldom this level of judicial involvement, with the INS having the final say on the fate of the child.