CUBAN
BOY TO GO HOME?
Last week
kidsnewsroom.com reported the story of a Cuban boy named Elian Gonzalez.
He is the child from Cuba who was found on November 25, 1999 while holding
onto an inner tube off the coast of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, after a
boat accident killed his mother, stepfather, and nine other people.
This boat was attempting to enter the United States. After Elian was
rescued, he was taken to relatives in Miami. Elian's father wants him
returned to Cuba. This is turning into a custody battle between the
two countries.
U.S. immigration
officials met with Juan Miguel Gonzalez, the father of Elian Gonzalez,
on Monday, December 13, 1999. Gonzalez stated, "These people have been
on our side all along. They agree that he should be back here, that
the child should be returned as soon as possible."
Gonzalez
gave officials birth certificates, report cards, and health records.
Vice President Al Gore suggested that Gonzalez travel to the United
States to express his views there. Gonzalez refused, however, stating,
"there's no reason for me to go there, and I won't do it."
Elian's
relatives in Miami argue that Elian would have a better life if he remained
in the United States. Robert Curbelo, a Gonzalez family spokesman, stated,
"He is in the United States now. Under U.S. law, there are procedures
that need to be followed and we'll see what happens."
Kidsnewsroom.com
will continue to follow the Elian Gonzalez story.
