Elián González, a five-year-old Cuban boy, was rescued on the morning of November 25, 1999, while adrift in an inner tube off the coast of Florida. He had embarked on a treacherous sea journey from Cuba, escaping the oppressive regime in search of freedom and a new life in the United States. His journey began after a boat carrying his mother and others capsized, tragically leading to the drowning of several passengers, including his mother while Elián survived. The fishermen who spotted him, alarmed by the sight of a small child alone at sea, quickly brought him to safety and reported the incident to authorities.Following his rescue, Elián was placed in the care of his great-uncle in Miami. His arrival sparked a highly publicized and contentious custody battle that captured national attention. While relatives in Miami sought to keep him in the U.S., his father, Juan Miguel González, who remained in Cuba, sought his return. The case drew fierce media coverage and engaged various interest groups, intensifying debates on immigration, the Cuban-American community's role, and U.S. foreign policy regarding Cuba.As the custody battle unfolded, it highlighted starkly divided views on immigration issues, with Cuban-Americans largely advocating for Elián's stay, viewing him as a symbol of the struggle for freedom. On the flip side, the U.S. government under President Bill Clinton ultimately decided to return Elián to Cuba, leading to a dramatic raid by federal agents on the home where he was staying, which was completed on April 22, 2000. This decision was met with protests and was emblematic of the tensions surrounding U.S.-Cuba relations during this period.