For Immediate Release
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CONTACT: Cory Mason
Government Relations Coordinator
(608) 250-6128 |
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Two State Bar Sections call for return of Cuban boy to his
father
Feb. 19, 2000 - Members of the State Bar of
Wisconsin's Family Law Section and Individual Rights and Responsiblities
Section Boards have written letters to Wisconsin's entire Congressional
delegation, calling for the return to Cuba of 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez,
and asking them to oppose U.S. citizenship for the boy.
The two Section boards say U.S. citizenship for the boy would be
wrong, since for the past three months, Elian's father has been
requesting Elian's immediate return to Cuba, and has not authorized any
application for U.S. citizenship for the boy.
Constitutional Protection of Parent-Child Relationship
In the Family Law Section letter, Section Chair Christopher Walther,
says U.S. Supreme Court precedent establishes the integrity of the
family unit as a "basic principle of United States law that has been
consistently recognized in United States Supreme Court decisions
spanning most of the twentieth century."
Walther's letter goes on to say that the United States Constitution has
long protected the parent-child relationship against government
interference, which is only lawful under the most extreme
circumstances.
David Lasker, Chair of the Individual Rights and Responsibilities
Section of the bar, writes in his letter that there is a "fundamental
right of parents to companionship with their children and determination
of their basic upbringing."
Both Section boards are urging Wisconsin lawmakers to oppose legislation
that grants citizenship to Elian Gonzalez, saying the Immigration and
Naturalization Service decision to return the boy to Cuba is the right
one, and should be honored.
For more information, contact Christopher Walther at (414) 273-4400, or
David Lasker at (608)
255-8400.
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