GALLUP NEWS SERVICE
PRINCETON, NJ -- Americans continue to support the U.S. policy that Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez should be returned to Cuba to live with his father and they agree that such actions would be in the best interests of the boy. In both instances, higher percentages now than in previous polls are taking the "return him to Cuba" position. Additionally, a majority of the public opposes the passage of the bills recently introduced into Congress that would make Elian a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident and that would thus allow him legally to stay in this country.
High Levels of Interest in Story
The story of Elian Gonzalez is becoming one of the major news
events of recent years. Almost 8 out of 10 Americans now say that
they are following the story at least somewhat closely, up 10
percentage points from December, when the story first broke into
the news. This makes the story one of the most closely followed of
any news event that Gallup has measured over the last 10 years,
just behind such stories as the death of JFK Jr., the
Clinton-Lewinsky crisis, and the U.S. intervention in Kosovo.
More Americans Support Elian's Return Than in Earlier
Polls
The most recent Gallup poll, completed January 26, includes updates
on the public's reaction to two questions that were first asked in
December and in January. The first dealt with Americans'
perceptions of what would be in the best interests of the boy,
while the second focused on basic agreement or disagreement with
the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service's decision that he
go back to Cuba. In both instances, the results suggest an
increasing support on the part of the American public for the idea
of sending Elian back:
- 60% of Americans now say it is in the best interests of the boy to return to Cuba to live with his father, up from 45% who felt that way in December.
- And, 67% of Americans now say they approve of the official U.S. government decision to send the boy back to Cuba to live with his father rather than have him remain with relatives in the U.S., up from 56% who approved of the decision in an early January poll.
Impact on U.S. - Cuban Relations?
It has become apparent that there could be a further deterioration
in the relationship between the U.S. and Fidel Castro's Cuba if
Elian stays in the United States. Only 18% of Americans, however,
are very concerned that such a negative outcome would occur if
Elian were to stay in the U.S., while another 30% are somewhat
concerned. About half of the public, on the other hand, are either
not too concerned or not at all concerned about this
possibility.
Survey Methods
The results reported here are based on telephone interviews with a
randomly selected national sample of 1,044 adults, 18 years and
older, conducted January 25-26, 2000. For results based on the
whole sample, one can say with 95 percent confidence that the
maximum error attributable to sampling and other random effects is
plus or minus 3 percentage points. In addition to sampling error,
question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys
can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion
polls.
Next we have a question about Elian Gonzalez, the 6-year-old Cuban boy who is a survivor of a boat filled with Cuban immigrants which sank off the coast of Florida last November. He is now in Florida where his custody is being disputed. How closely have you followed the news about this story -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all closely?
| Very closely | Somewhat closely | Not too closely | Not at all closely | No opinion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Jan 25-26 | 34% | 44 | 17 | 4 | 1 |
| 1999 Dec 9-12 | 23% | 45 | 18 | 13 | 1 |
Which of the following solutions do you think would be in the best interests of the boy -- [ROTATED: for him to remain in the U.S. to live with relatives who have requested he stay here (or) for him to live with his father in Cuba, as his father requested]?
| Remain in U.S. | Live with father in Cuba | OTHER (vol.) | No opinion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Jan 25-26 | 33% | 60 | 3 | 4 |
| 1999 Dec 9-12 | 45% | 45 | 3 | 7 |
As you may know, the U.S. government recently decided to send the boy back to Cuba to live with his father rather than have him remain with relatives in the United States. From what you know about this case, do you approve or disapprove of the decision to send the boy to Cuba to live with his father?
| Approve | Disapprove | No opinion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Jan 25-26 | 67% | 25 | 8 |
| 2000 Jan 7-10 | 56% | 36 | 8 |
As you may know, bills have been introduced in the House and Senate in Washington which would grant Elian Gonzalez U.S. citizenship, or give him permanent resident status. Would you favor or oppose the passage of such a law by Congress?
| Favor | Oppose | No opinion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Jan 25-26 | 37% | 54 | 9 |
How concerned are you that if Elian Gonzalez is NOT returned to Cuba, that the decision to keep him in the United States will worsen U.S. relations with Cuba -- [very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned]?
| Very concerned | Somewhat concerned | Not too concerned | Not at all concerned | No opinion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Jan 25-26 | 18% | 30 | 24 | 25 | 3 |