wfn.org | Lutherans Support Return of Elian Gonzalez to His Father

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

February 28, 2000

LUTHERANS SUPPORT RETURN OF ELIAN GONZALEZ TO HIS FATHER
00-039-JB/SB*

     CHICAGO (ELCA)   The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
supports the return of Elian Gonzalez to his father in Cuba. Gonzalez,
6, was brought to the United States  last year after he was found
clinging to a life preserver in the waters off the coast of Florida.
His mother drowned while both were fleeing Cuba.
     At the request of the Cuban Council of Churches, the National
Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. (NCC) has been working
actively to reunite Elian with his family in Cuba.  Presently he remains
with relatives in the United States.  A court hearing related to Elian's
case has been rescheduled for early March.
     The ELCA is one of 35 member churches of the NCC.
     Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), a partner agency
of the ELCA, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and Latvian Lutheran Church
in America, issued a statement on the Gonzalez case calling for the
return of the child to his father.
     "We conclude that this statement is consistent with ELCA social
policy," said the Rev. Charles S. Miller, executive director, ELCA
Division for Church in Society. "Therefore we gladly associate the ELCA
with the LIRS position."
     Lutheran churches depend on LIRS to provide leadership in
immigration, refugee and asylum matters, Miller said.  LIRS is
headquartered in Baltimore.
     "While it speaks independently on matters of public policy, the
Lutheran churches regularly seek its counsel and direction on pertinent
public policy issues," he said.
     In its statement, LIRS said the U.S. Commissioner of the
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) "correctly determined"
Elian's best interests would be served by reunification with
his father, and it pointed out the decision was affirmed by the U.S.
Attorney General.
     LIRS also said the U.S. Congress should not move forward with
proposals by some members of Congress to grant Gonzalez U.S.
citizenship.
     LIRS based its decision on several principles.  First, it said the
criterion for placement of the child must be what is in his best
interest.  "In this case, the evidence suggests that Elian's best
interests will be served by reuniting him with his father in Cuba," the
LIRS statement said.
     Second, family reunification is "a fundamental tenet of U.S.
immigration law and international protocol regarding unaccompanied
minors," LIRS said, where possible, an unaccompanied minor should be
reunited with a  parent, provided there is "no credible fear of
persecution" in the country of origin, and if there are assurances the
parent can provide a safe and loving home.
     Third, due to a child's "heightened sense of time," securing
permanent  placement for a child is imperative.  Elian should be
reunited with his surviving parent without delay, LIRS said.
     Fourth, LIRS said families have the right and responsibility to
make important decisions affecting their children.  "In this case,
Elian's father is the closest surviving relative and he has the right to
make decisions regarding Elian's citizenship," LIRS said.
               LIRS said every child deserves the same level of care and
               protection.
     "Unfortunately, this has not been the case with all unaccompanied
minors reaching U.S. territory," LIRS said. "The treatment of the
Gonzalez case is in sharp contrast to the general policy and experience
of Haitian and Latin American children, who have often been summarily
deported to their countries of origin, even though they may end up being
homeless and hungry."
     "Such children are routinely deported without investigation into
their family situations and without assurance as to their reception upon
return," the statement said. "The United States should afford all
unaccompanied minors the same care and protection which in this case has
been afforded to Elian, assuring their well-being whether they remain or
are returned."
     LIRS urged "all parties in the discussion to refrain from further
politicizing the debate" on Elian's situation.
     "During this time in which Elian's status is being determined, the
government is to be commended for having placed Elian with family
members in the least restrictive setting, rather than in an INS juvenile
detention facility, as happens with so many unaccompanied minors," the
LIRS statement concluded.

[*Susan Baukhages is director of communication, Lutheran Immigration and
Refugee Service, Baltimore.]

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html