Do you think that Elian should be returned to his father in Cuba?

The issue has been clouded and convulted by politics and personal agendas. Unfortunately, a sacrifice will be made either way. I do believe that by sending Elian back to Cuba, he will be sent back to a poverty-stricken country, a country divided between the have's and the have not's. Sure, education, health care, housing, and food are socialized, however, when there isn't enough to go around (and there isn't), than everyone suffers. There is no such thing as privacy, as freedom of thought, freedom of press, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, right to bear arms...there are shootings (if the people are not allowed to bear arms, who is doing the shooting?...) and violence, prostitution and drugs, poverty and lack of mobility in Cuba, too. Worse even in that there is no way up, except through political lines. There are certainly disadvantages to a capitalistic economy - issues with the availability of opportunities for everyone, greed, monopoly, etc. - at least there is the ability to better one's life on one's own terms. Do government and political agendas outweigh the importance of the father-son relationship? Should that ever be the case? No. The Miami family is fueled by a deep belief that they will be able to offer Elian a better life economically, and as family, provide a loving home as well. I believe that to be true. The father, however, will be able to give Elian an emotional bond that no other individual will be able to give. The plight of Elian Gonzalez should not be based on political agendas, but rather on what is in his best interest as a child who has suffered a great loss (the death of his mother)and experienced dramatic(and possibly traumatic) life events these last four months. What he needs right now is stability - regardless of where or who that comes from. Our government needs to enforce its own legislation. The apparent wishy-washiness of our political leaders only allows Castro to continue to characterize Americans as incapable and incompetent. Let it be known that there is no love lost between Castro and this country. A reunion needs to occur between Elian and his father, and the Miami family needs to reassess their own motives and consider the well-being of this child.
Jaimee

Those people are not protesting outside Eilan's home because they care about the child but rather as for the hate of Castro. by hurting th child (robbing him of his privacy and dignity) do they want to make a point. that child needs to be loved by people who care about him. He has become a signal for castro haters. He needs love around him not hate. The father when comming here requested 26 or so visas, right? anyone ever think that the reason he asked to bring his whole family here and away from castro is that he may have asked for asylum when he arived. i was born in a communist country and it is not a happy place to be. Elian need his father in America. even if he goes back he will be in better living than the rest of Cuba. There he is royaly. what was up with the home video message to his dad? his dad! he talks like that to the person he has lived with for the last 6 years! think about it people. what is that was you and your child?
EVA

Everyone here have made very valid points. However, the facts should be considered. Although I have not follow closely to the factual proceding of his case, I have caught glimpse of it from day to day news. Matters like this is very sensitive to anyone when personal opinions are involved. Often times, we complicate this issue. If he was not a legal alien to begin with, then it doesn't matter if the mom died in vain. That is just the risk of defecting ones native country. DOJ and INS decision to sent him back is thus legit and without a doubt. Law is law after all. On the other hand, looking back at history, the US have often been the host of many refugees, who seek the freedom we so taken for granted. If the concern whether the kid will have a father then why not grant the father legal immigration. In summary, if the concern is about the legitamacy of Elian's stay, then it is obvious. But if the concern is about parental rights, then at least, let the parent have the option. DOJ and INS should stay out of it. One final thought, often our desire to control/inflict our belief onto other is ultimately inconsiderate. There is no right and wrong in the world we live in, only the belief that there is a right and wrong way.
Jared

Yes. Elian should go back to his father. Who says the U.S. is best for him? Look at what we face; school shootings, AID's, drugs, gangs. Doesnt seem much different then the rest of the world. Elian has a surviving father and should be returned to the only thing closest to him, a bond between a father and son, can not be touched.
Rebekah Jasso

Elian should definitely be returned to his father. Yes, his mother did die in the process of coming over here with him... But in no way should it be left to the US to decided where he belongs. The child belongs with his father-even if it means living in Cuba. I don't think this thing would be such as issue if it was the other way around and the mother was the parent alive and living in Cuba... If it was that situation, many people wouldn't even take the time to question it.
Amanda

NO! Elian should be allowed to stay in the United States. His mother died to bring him here, to give him a better life and now we're saying that he's not allowed to have a future?? Where was his father when Elian was in Cuba? Why wasn't he battling for him then?? Elian should be granted political asylum like the other refugees from Cuba.
kayjay

I believ that he should be retured to his father. I know that if somebody took my child, and wouldn't give them back, that would break my heart. The U.S. keeps trying buy Elian over. Taking him to Disney World, buying him lots of toys, but that gives him a false image about how life is. People will not always give you everything you want, this is the world we live in... I don't believe they should be taken from each other. I would say, if his mother had reached america, living, than that would be fine if he stayed here, but he no longer has a mother, and should be with his father.
Missy

Absolutly. The U.S. is not some golden country, we do not have the best life for this little boy. And even if we did, it is not up to the U.S. government to decide the individual fate of one little boy. We have turned away so many immigrants- why is he so special we let him in? So the U.S. dislikes communism and Fidel Castro- that doesn't give us any right to disobey INTERNATIONAL rules. Eilian belongs with his father, plain and simple. It's only right, and we have laws that say so. So the U.S. should get off it's high horse and stop making Eilian out to be more than he is. Stop parading him around Disney World like it is the greatest thing in the universe. Eilian belongs with his father, and weather his father belongs to, or even supports a communist dictator has nothing to do with the fact that Eilian needs to be with him. Takes politics out of it and you will have your answer.
Mysteryhorse

YES he should be returned! So many peoples lives are different and the U.S. claims that Elian will have a better life here, well think of all the other children out there who live in poverty and the U.S. isn't welcoming them with open arms! We cannot control nor do we have the right to tell people they're going to stay in the U.S. for the sake of themselves, thats B.S. We don't have the right to keep him here he should go back where he came from, he should be with his dad!!!!!
Rachel

Well, right now I'll say no. I've heard ppl talk about Cuba and Fidel Castro, etc, and it sounds like it'd be better for him in the U.S. And when you think about it, his mother lost her life trying to get him over here. If we just send him right back to Cuba, then his mother died for nothing.
Casey