Wasn’t Elian Gonzales here illegally?
That was the matter at dispute in court, but even if he was illegal and in the wrong custody there was nothing to justify a raid by guys with machine guns.
I note for the record that I oppose the legal standard used in the U.S. where you have to make it to dry land before you are considered to be here legally. As far as I'm concerned, if you make the effort and get rescued, you should be welcomed.
Cubans are considered refugees. We can send them back if intercepted, but if they make it to dry land they are O.K.