January 24, 2000
Web posted at: 12:54 p.m. EST (1754 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The two grandmothers of 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez left New York for Miami on Monday in hopes of seeing him before they return to Cuba, according to an official of the National Council of Churches.

Meantime, members of Congress readied legislation to either make the Cuban boy a U.S. citizen or a permanent U.S. resident.

The boy's grandmothers, Raquel Rodriguez and Mariela Quintana, flew to the United States on Friday to appeal for Elian's return to Cuba. They spent the weekend in New York.

The New York-based National Council of Churches has been acting as an intermediary in the bitter custody dispute between Elian's relatives in Cuba and Miami. The council brought the two grandmothers to the United States where they met with Attorney General Janet Reno in Washington Saturday and asked if they could visit Elian.

VIDEO CNN's Frank Buckley reports the grandmothers of a 6-year-old Cuban boy released a statement calling for his return to his Cuban father (January 23) Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     MESSAGE BOARD US/Cuba relations

"We are encouraged by the actions and conversations stimulated by our visit with Janet Reno," said the Rev. Bob Edgar, general secretary of the council. "We believe that the (Immigration and Naturalization Service) and the Justice Department is working on behalf of the grandmothers to have a meeting with Elian Gonzalez."

Elian's Miami relatives, who insist the boy stay in the United States, have invited the grandmothers to visit the youngster. The two women, however, have expressed reservations because they feared becoming the target of anti-Castro activities.

Elian has been staying with distant relatives in Miami since November 25, when he was rescued off Florida after surviving the capsizing of a boat carrying illegal Cuban migrants.

His mother was among the 11 Cubans who drowned drowned; Elian was one of three survivors.

The grandmothers were "encouraged" by their meeting with Reno, says the Rev. Bob Edgar 242K/22 sec. AIFF or WAV sound

The House and Senate start a new session Monday, and Sen. Connie Mack, R-Florida, is expected to introduce a bill that would grant Elian instant U.S. citizenship.

Adoption of such a bill perhaps would shoot down a U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service ruling that would force the boy's return to Cuba.

Sponsors of the proposal say they have bipartisan support, but critics say President Clinton would be sure to veto such legislation.

Correspondent Deborah Feyerick contributed to this report.

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