The powerful image alone spoke volumes about the plight of little Elián Gonzalez, and the larger issues surrounding illegal immigration and diplomatic relations with the Cuban people. Here he was in the arms of one of  his relatives, confronted by a U.S. federal agent in full tactical gear and pointing at them with a submachine gun. Little Elián was brought by his mother to rickety boat for the 90-mile journey from Cuba to Key West. Ten others went with them; only two survived. With his mother perished, and his father back in Cuba, he suddenly found himself at the center of a custody battle.

On this day, April 22, in 2000, heavily armed border-patrol agents entered the Miami home of Elián’s relatives and removed him from their custody. The predawn raid came as Elián’s relatives refused to release him, despite an appeals court rejection of their petition to keep him in the United States. His father in Cuba had requested the boy’s return, and international law was on his side.

Elian’s story polarized opinions on his fate. A vocal minority considered his return to Cuba a travesty, and lined up to pelt the raiding agents with bottles and rocks.  Many thought Elián should be returned to his father, and still others thought it was a family decision. Subsequent interviews with Elián and his family in Cuba were sparse, but generally showed him growing up with all the normal accouterments and joining the Communist party after he turned 13 years of age.