y of his great-uncle, Lazaro Gonzalez, after being released from Joe Dimmaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. Lazaro Gonzalez, along with his daughter, Marisleysis Gonzalez, brought Elian to their South Florida home in Miami's Little Havana section to shelter him from media attention until future arrangements involving his father could be made."God wanted him here for freedom," said Elian's second-cousin Marisleysis, "And he's here and he will get it." Meanwhile back in Cuba, Elian's natural father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez, began requesting the return of his son. He strongly disapproved asylum for his son and stated that his wishes should be respected over that of the Miami relative's. Thus begins the bi-cultural, political tug-of-war between a family that is dividing a country and determining the future of a young boy.Back on December 10, 1999, in Dallas, Texas, a request for political asylum was made by the attorneys of Elian Gonzalez. In it, they stated that Elian has a "well founded fear of persecution" if returned to communist Cuba. The asylum request would hopefully guarantee the stay of Elian in the United States for a few months until his hearing is complete. "Our understanding of the law is, he should not be removed from this country until he has had a full and fair asylum hearing," Elian attorney Roger Bernstien said. But Elian's application for political asylum could not be heard until his admissions application became resolved, which was supposed to be completed on December 23.In Cuba, mass demonstrations took place in Havana as well as fourteen other cities demanding the return of Elian to his homeland and his father. Meanwhile, the United States continued to inform Juan Miguel Gonzalez of U.S. immigration laws so that he could try to reclaim his son. Both federal and international law favor the rights of the surviving parent over that of the intentions of the deceased parent or the rights of any other relative. A...
