Published Monday, August 14, 2000, in the Miami Herald

Why would the Immigration and Naturalization Service pick at a scab on a wound that barely has begun to heal?

In planning to so publicly honor this week the agents who pulled off the April 22 raid that took 6-year-old Elián González from his Little Havana relatives, INS officials show once again just how tone deaf they are.

That raid ruptured this community. And though the heavily armed agents concluded the dicey operation successfully and without inflicting physical injury, the emotional hurt among so many in South Florida still lies deep in the heart.

Many questions remain unanswered about the need for the action.

This isn't to question the agents' work. They simply followed their orders; letters of commendation might be appropriate. But the plans by U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and INS Commissioner Doris Meissner to summon them to Georgia for an awards ceremony this week feels like gloating.

Call it off.

Copyright 2000 Miami Herald

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