According to most students who spoke with The Dartmouth, Elian Gonzales should be allowed to return to Cuba, and the U.S. government's handling of the situation has not been entirely appropriate.
"I think they should send him back to Cuba," Louis Trotman '03 said. He has a right to be with his dad, one way or the other."
Lauren Brumsted '03 agreed, "It's the father's choice, and [the father's] not a bad human being, and we have no right to try to exert the power of our democracy... through a six-year-old child."
Other students voiced hesitation in coming down strongly on one side or the other.
" I don't really know ... I can see both sides of the issue," David Tarr '02 said, in response to the question of whether the boy should be sent back. "I could see why the father wants him back," but also how a life in the United States might be better.
Julia Martinez '03 expressed her frustration with the drawn-out and complicated legal battles, "I think it is such a confusing situation ... and don't know how it should be resolved. [Elian's] in the middle of the whole thing."
Still other students declined to voice an opinion, citing a lack of sufficient knowledge of the situation.
Many voiced criticism of the U.S. government's handling of the case.
Alison Murray '01 said, "I think it's been way to back-and-forth." She said she felt Elian should have been returned to Cuba long ago, but that instead, the government has given the media the opportunity to make the situation into a complete fiasco.
Concerning why there has been so much publicity on the situation, students point to various factors.
"Because it's a kid, and it's the Communists," Brumsted said.
However, Andrew Weed '00 said, "I haven't been following it really at all, so I'm not sure [why there has been so much media attention]. It didn't seem like it was all that big of a deal."
Rockefeller Center Director Linda Fowler said, "What troubles me about this case is the double standard. If he was ... any other nationality in the Carribbean the government wouldn't be tied in knots about this and the public demonstrations wouldn't be happening ... I don't think it's healthy to have this sort of special status for Cuban refugees."
According to Ariel Diaz '02, "The biggest problem is that the issue has become a political battle, Cuba vs. U.S.A., more than a battle for the well-being of the child."
"I have not really taken a side, because in Miami he will have loving relatives and some more freedom," Diaz said. "But his father is in Cuba, and his home is, too."
The focus should not be just the child, but rather point to larger issues. "This should not just be about one kid, but should force us to reconsider the current policy about Cuban refugees, and not just deal with this independently," Diaz added.
A U.S. Appeals Court decision on whether Elian will be allowed to return to Cuba with his father during his further legal battles is expected any day now.
On May 11, there will be a hearing on Elian's U.S. asylum request, made by his Miami relatives.
