legally still in the custody of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Attorney General Janet Reno may render Rodriguez's decision null and reject the second request for asylum. If that occurred, then Lazaro Gonzalez would have had no legal standing to act for Elian.Judge Rosa Rodriguez was also placed under scrutiny after acknowledging that a political consultant for Elian's cause, Armando Gutierrez, was a paid advisor in her 1998 judicial campaign. Legal experts feel that she should have disclosed that information beforehand. Others feel that Rodriguez should have refused the case entirely. Reguardless, the political firestorm in the courts over where Elian belongs was set in motion.United States Attorney General Janet Reno responded to the family court judge's ruling by stating that it "has no force or effect," and challenged Elian's attorneys to appeal her ruling to the federal court of appeals. She also lifted the Friday, January 14 deadline to allow time for court proceedings; but did not set a new deadline. Government officials also stressed having no intention of forcibly removing Elian. In return, the Miami family's attorney, Spencer Eig, filed a federal lawsuit on January 19 on behalf of Elian. Legal experts said the chances of Elian's attorneys winning in federal court are slim since matters of immigration enforcement are deferred to the attorney general.Back in the Little Havana section of Miami, where the family of Lazaro Gonzalez lives, public support for Elian to stay grew. The supporters felt that all they needed was some time until Congress reconvened on January 24 and considered a special bill granting Elian legal status in the United States. The bill would ultimately remove any INS jurisdiction, allowing Lazaro Gonzalez to seek custody at the state level. Both of Florida's senators, Republican Connie Mack, a supporter of Elian's cause, and Democrat Bob Graham, have urged the INS not to act until Congress can ta...
