By Anita Snow. AP.
HAVANA (March 8, 2000 11:18 p.m. EST http://www.nandotimes.com) - Cuban President Fidel Castro on Thursday bitterly criticized U.S. immigration policies that he blames for the plight of Elian Gonzalez. Castro's remarks came one day before a major U.S. federal court hearing in the months-long
custody dispute over the 6-year-old boy.
Speaking for the first time at one of the scores of mass protests held here almost daily since Dec. 5, Castro described the Cuban Adjustment Act as a "monstrosity" the law lures Cubans like Elian's late mother to risk their lives and those of their children by undertaking the risky
journey across the Florida Straits.
"How many lives has this law cost our nation? How many lives of innocent children pulled out of school by mothers or fathers who are irresponsible or tricked by illusions," Castro said.
The law, passed in 1966, allows Cubans who reach American soil to stay and apply for political asylum.
Elian was still 5 when he was rescued at sea by fishermen who found him lashed to an innertube floating off the coast of South Florida on Nov. 25. The boy's mother and her boyfriend were among 11 people who perished when the boat sank.
Only Elian and two adults survived. All three were allowed to remain in the United States under the law, but Elian immediately became enmeshed in a custody battle between his father, who wants the child returned to him in Cuba, and his parental great-uncle, who is fighting to keep the child in
the United States.
Cuban authorities say the act contradicts migration accords signed with the United States in 1994 and 1995, which are aimed at stopping illegal departures and encouraging legal and orderly movement between the countries.
Under the agreements, the U.S. Coast Guard repatriates most Cubans picked up at sea and a minimum of 20,000 American visas are provided annually to those wishing to immigrate legally to the United States. The Cuban government is to work to prevent illegal departures from the communist island.
"What will Elian's return to Cuba mean if every day at least four children leave or 34 every week who run the same risks - or worse?" Castro said, addressing about 1,500 members of the Federation of Cuban Women as the group wrapped up its 7th Congress.
The battle has taken on impassioned and often ugly ideological overtones that underscore the differences separating Cubans in the two nations.
The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in early January ordered that Elian be returned to his father in Cuba - a decision backed by President Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno.
But the order was put on hold pending legal attempts by Elian's Miami relatives to keep him in the United States.
At issue now is a federal lawsuit filed by Elian's great-uncle Lazaro Gonzalez seeking political asylum for the child.
The U.S. government argues that the child is too young to seek political asylum, and notes that the INS earlier ruled that only his father is capable of speaking for Elian on immigration matters.
U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore is to hear arguments in the case Thursday and afterward can decide whether to intervene in the earlier INS decision or let it stand.
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