Elián González

Elián González (born December 6, 1993) was at the center of a heated custody and immigration battle between Cuba, the United States government, his father, his Miami relatives, and the Cuban-American community of Miami in 2000. The climactic stage of this prolonged battle was the April 22, 2000 seizure of six-year-old Elian by federal agents, which drew the ire and criticism of many in the Cuban-American community and presidential candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush and prompted a Senate inquiry. However, after the Miami relatives' appeals met several rejections by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, and a refusal to hear the case by the U.S. Supreme Court, Elian González returned to Cuba with his father, Juan Miguel González, on the afternoon of June 28, 2000.

Background on U.S./Cuba Relations

Hostility between Cuba and the United States has been persistent since the Cuban Revolution. Over that period, a considerable number of Cubans have tried to leave for the United States in the hope of greater freedom and better economic conditions. This emigration is illegal under both Cuban and US law; any Cuban found at sea attempting to reach U.S. shores will be deported by the U.S. Coast Guard. Since the Carter era, U.S. policy has evolved into the current "wet feet, dry feet" rule. If a Cuban refugee is picked up at sea or walking toward shore, he will be repatriated by force (i.e., sent back to Cuba against his will). If he can make it to shore ("dry feet"), he is permitted to make a case for political asylum. Under a 1995 migration accord with Cuba, Cubans who make it to United States soil are generally allowed to remain in the country (a policy applied exclusively to Cubans).

Related Topics:
Cuban Revolution - Carter - "wet feet, dry feet" rule - Sea - Shore - Repatriated - Political asylum - 1995

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~