I remember at that time a Senator urged the family to go to a church and stay there. That the government could not come in there. But they trusted their legal reps. Legal reps who were working both sides of the story. What was his name who was clintons lawyer and took their case on?
I couldn't remember which Clinton goon got involved.
Snopercod did provide a link to the information though.
http://alamo-girl.com/03605.htm
Ex-Senator Bob Smith (R,NH) tried to help Elian and his Miami relatives to make sure his rights were respected. All persons, regardless of age, have the right to be heard in court in immigration cases. Elian was snatched by Clinton/Reno goons, of course, before he was ever heard in court. I sincerely believe that the incident swung many more than the number of votes needed by Gore to prevail in Florida in 2000. When nature takes its course and the Cuban dictator is no more, maybe Elian will immigrate to USA. Maybe not, though, if Hitlery ever gets elected!
You're right; the government could not go into a church. However, following the law -- and moral imperatives, for that matter -- never seemed to be high on the agenda of the Clinton administration. The Feds would probably have gone into the church to get them.