Department of Justice Seal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AG

THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2000

(202) 514-2007

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-188 8


STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO ON THE 11 TH CIRCUIT

COURT'S DECISION IN THE ELIAN GONZALEZ CASE


"We are pleased that the Court has upheld our decision that only Juan Miguel Gonzalez can speak for his son Elian on federal immigration matters. These three federal appellate judges have now joined with a federal district court judge and a Florida state court judge in recognizing the authority of the INS to make this determination.

"This is an important step in achieving the goal we have sought from the very beginning -- to give Juan Miguel and his family the opportunity to return to a life together. I am hopeful that this matter will soon reach a final resolution so that Elian, his father and his family, may resume their lives away from the scrutiny of the media and the uncertainty that the legal battle has caused for them.

"I hope that all of us -- regardless of our disagreements about this case -- can join together and wish this family well.

"Elian remains in his father's care, but he and his family will not immediately depart the United States. The injunction put in place by the 11th Circuit will remain in effect until the Court's mandate in this case is issued. The INS departure control order put in place on April 22 will remain in place until the injunction is no longer in effect.

"Finally, I want to take a moment to commend the dedicated and absolutely splendid attorneys and staff at the Department of Justice and the Immigration and Naturalization Service who have worked so hard over the past six months on this litigation. They, like so many Americans, were moved by this human drama, and they have devoted long hours to bring about an outcome consistent with the law and our tradition of respect for the parent-child relationship."

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