Union City, NJ -- Congressman Bob Menendez (D-NJ) today strongly criticized the decision taken by the Immigration and Naturalization Service to return 6-old Elian Gonzalez to Cuba. His statement follows:
The decision to return Elian Gonzalez to Cuba is one that we will regret for a long time. We have subverted our own laws and our own legal precedent to satisfy the Cuban dictator. This case should have been determined in a court of law and not through blackmail.
We still do not know what Elian's father truly wants in this matter because there is no freedom of speech in Cuba. He has clearly been under duress. As long as he is within the reach of Castro's tentacles, he does not have the right or the ability to openly state his views in Cuba without fear
of reprisal. He cannot voice an opinion different from that of the Castro dictatorship without jeopardizing his freedom and livelihood of his family who are with him in Cuba.
As I have said all along, the only way to know Juan Miguel Gonzalez' real views is to have him and his family come to the United States.
We are now researching legislative options to grant permanent residency or citizenship to Elian. |