Perhaps, JW is probably Ramirez' atty for that suit as well.
(June 9, 2000)
Washington TimesThe Cuban Connection (re: Elian) ***These documents appear to make explicit what has been implicit up to now. The White House has bent over backwards to oblige the Cuban government, involving even the president in an immigration matter. Initially the INS said that the question of custody should be resolved by a family court. In a press release dated Jan. 1, 1999, the INS said, "We have discussed this case with State of Florida officials who have confirmed that the issue of legal custody must be decided by its state court." After Cuban dictator Fidel Castro demanded the return of Elian to Cuba, the INS reversed course, claiming the child should be deported if his U.S. asylum petition weren't backed by his father.
The INS ultimately invaded a private American home to seize Elian - a move which legal experts across the ideological spectrum have called illegal since the INS lacked a court order mandating a change in custody. Once Elian was placed in his father's custody, the INS allowed Cuban government agents to surround the child.
The combination of INS memos and actions call into question the agency's independence on the Elian matter. Judicial Watch, a public-interest group, should be commended for requesting and obtaining the public release of the memos. If administration officials put pressure on the INS to do the bidding of a communist dictator on the Elian case, the public should know about it. Congress should therefore muster the courage to hold hearings on the administration's handling of the case. ***