1. The INS originally placed Elian with his American relatives. US regulations in such cases say that a State family court will decide custody, and an INS spokesman said this would be the case with Elian. The Clinton Administration then went against their own written and spoken positions and awarded custody to the biological father.
2. Juan Miguel was never out of the control of Cuban officials. In other words, he never had a chance to defect or to freely express an opinion. All we have are the words of Bill Clinton, Fidel Castro, and Janet Reno that Juan Miguel's wishes were being followed.
Long time no see. Nice to see you.