Reaction of Senator Patrick Leahy, Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, On 11th Circuit Ruling Against an Asylum Hearing In The Elian Gonzales Matter

June 01, 2000

"The court correctly found that the INS acted within its discretion in deciding that it is the role of parents to care for and make decisions for their young children in all but the rarest circumstances. The court thoroughly reviewed INS actions in this case and found no illegality. Every mother and father knows that parents speak for their children, and this 6-year-old boy belongs with his father."