[Tickle Me Pank]

There's not one ruling that was legally suspect, bvw, so I'd discount the backroom allegations.

I'd rather not have a precedent set where a 6 year-old child can request asylum against their parents'(s') apparent wishes, or that custody can be established by a family court not of the child's native country.

JMG had ample opportunity to request asylum in public - if he gave the lad up due to coercion, I hope he roasts in hell, but he had his chance. To those who would counter with'but, they had his relatives hostage back in Cuba!', I would respond, 'Bravo Sierra! Every Cuban who rafts to these shores has relatives back home."

[bvw]

Then you put his mother's dying and self-sacrificial wish to naught, yet honor a father's statements made under threat of harm and injury to himself and his other family.

Damn any courts that honor thugs that way. For any mobster need only become an extortionist and by your legal logic he would be in the clear.

[Ken H]

The INS has written guidelines that in cases such as this, a State family court decides custody.

Their spokesman confirmed publically that Elian's custody would be decided by Florida Family Court.

After the Clintons got into the act, the INS then reversed their original decision and appointed Juan Miguel as his custodian and spokesman in the matter of asylum, contrary to their own regulations.

The point is that custody decisions are made for immigrant children in American courts, pending outcome of the asylum application.