Elian Gonzalez, a six-year-old boy, boarded a boat with his mother to leave Cuba and sail to the United States. During the passage, the boat capsized. Elian’s mother died, along with ten other passengers. Elian’s father was still in Cuba. After being admitted to a local hospital, Elian’s great-uncle Lazaro Gonzalez contacted the Immigration and Naturalization Service (“INS”). A few days later, Lazaro petitioned for asylum on Elian’s behalf. Not long after, another petition for asylum was filed, signed by Elian. A third request for asylum was then filed by Lazaro on Elian’s behalf after he was awarded temporary custody in a state court action. The three petitions were similar, citing that Elian was afraid to return to Cuba alleging persecution and the potential of being used as a propaganda tool for the Cuban government. Elian’s father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez, had sent a letter to Cuban officials requesting that Elian be returned to Cuba. This letter was subsequently forwarded to the INS.…