Congressmen Differ on Seizure of Elian

Ventura County congressmen disagreed Monday about a proposed federal investigation into the tactics used to seize 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez in Miami last weekend.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) said that the panel’s staff would conduct what he described as a preliminary inquiry into Saturday’s predawn raid at the Little Havana home of the boy’s relatives in Miami.

The most contentious issue is that a federal agent had his weapon drawn when he found the boy hiding in a closet with the fisherman who rescued him from the sea last year.

“I think it was one of the worst possible things that could have been done,” Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) said of the raid. “I think it is certainly appropriate that the process be reviewed, if for nothing else to mitigate similar situations in the future.”

Gallegly, one of the members of the Judiciary Committee, said other ways to accomplish Elian’s transfer to his father could have been pursued, such as arresting the boy’s family members who refused to turn him over to authorities.

Rep. Brad Sherman, a Sherman Oaks Democrat whose congressional district includes Thousand Oaks and Oak Park, said he supports Atty. Gen. Janet Reno’s decision to retrieve the boy and believes the raid could have ended less favorably.

“We all would have preferred if law enforcement officials closest to the child didn’t have a gun,” Sherman said.

As for the inquiry, Sherman chastised the judiciary panel for wasting its time.

“That’s a committee that could be working on how we could enforce our immigration laws or how we can reduce crime on the streets,” Sherman said. “It’s highly unlikely a case like Elian’s is going to come up again.

“Keep in mind, if things had turned out poorly [in the raid] the same critics would be asking why more force wasn’t deployed,” Sherman said.

Michael Case, the Democratic challenger to Gallegly in November’s election, agreed with Sherman.

“I don’t think it is necessary to conduct an independent investigation. Law enforcement agencies can review their own processes,” Case said.

“I’ve grown disturbed by the politicians who have lined up to make this more than it is,” Case added.