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March 28, 2000 Elian Gonzalez Officials representing the Department of Justice and the Immigration and Naturalization Service met with attorneys representing Lazaro Gonzalez this morning at the INS District Office in Miami. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the ramifications of parole termination and the orderly return of Elian to his father including, most importantly, measures to ensure that Elian's transfer occur in a manner that is sensitive to his needs. While INS has always had the authority to implement its decision, we have gone to great lengths to bring about a resolution that is carried out in a manner that creates as little disruption for Elian as possible. Far from depriving Lazaro Gonzalez of his right to appeal, we have attempted to accommodate his interests in obtaining review by the Court of Appeals while assuring a prompt and orderly reunion of Elian and his father if the District Court's decision is affirmed. This assurance is consistent with federal law and normal INS procedures. Under federal immigration law and INS procedure, the government routinely requests written assurances that individuals paroled into the United States will comply with the terms of their parole. The simple assurance we have sought from Lazaro Gonzalez is that he will cooperate with an orderly transfer of Elian Gonzalez in the event of an adverse ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals and barring emergency injunctive relief from the Supreme Court. Lazaro Gonzalez will be meeting with INS and Justice Department officials tomorrow afternoon. We hope that, at that time, he will agree to the very reasonable conditions that we have set out as a condition of Elian's continued parole. From the beginning, we have been mindful of the fact that at the center of this case is a six-year-old boy who has been through a terrible ordeal. We are concerned for him and will continue to try to resolve this matter in a way that avoids additional trauma to him. It has been nearly 12 weeks since the Commissioner's decision, and four months since Elian was separated from his father and lost his mother. As District Court Judge Moore said in his ruling last week, "Each passing day is another day lost between Juan Gonzalez and his son." We continue to urge everyone involved to work together to understand, respect and uphold the bond between parent and child and the laws of the United States. |
Last Modified 02/20/2003