The Miami relatives of Elian Gonzalez are running out of options to keep him in the United States, and some members of the ISU community said they believe it’s crucial for the 6-year-old’s well-being that the case finally be resolved.

The 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruled last week that Elian is not entitled to a political asylum hearing. The boy will have to stay in the United States for at least 14 more days to give his Miami relatives, who have acted as his caregivers since last November, a chance to appeal.

The family has two weeks to appeal the ruling to the Court of Appeals or the U.S. Supreme Court. They can also seek reconsideration from the three-judge circuit court panel.

Matthew Pitoski, ISU assistant professor of political science, said he thinks the ruling has taken away any leverage the Miami relatives had previously had.

“Once they took Elian out of the Miami house, it has taken some wind out of their sails,” he said.

Pitoski said the many different dimensions to the Elian case is why it’s lasted since November.

“It’s such a complex case that requires so many different types of rulings,” Pitoski said. “There are so many issues, and each one gets a court administrative ruling.”

However, Pitoski said he doesn’t think the legal process will go on for much longer. “They’ve been drawn out for so long; now they’re only holding on by a string,” he said.

Some ISU students said they would like to see Elian’s legal battles come to an end.

“I think he should just go back with his father,” said Kamela Burkett, senior in psychology. “He [Juan Miguel Gonzalez] has every right to be with his son.”

However, Burkett said she somewhat disagreed with the Court of Appeals’ ruling against an opportunity for an asylum hearing, where in theory Elian himself might be asked for his input. Burkett said she thinks Elian might be able to make such a decision if it were explained to him thoroughly.

“If he understands the choice and the meaning of it, he could be able to make his own decision,” she said.

Joellen Baldus, junior in child and family services, also said although she believes Elian belongs with his father, the boy could be competent enough to make his own decision about where he’d like to stay.

“I think that a lot of kids are smarter than we give them credit for,” she said. “If it were explained to him, he would probably know what it was about.”

Mike Ludwig, senior in fine arts, said at any rate, the Elian saga should be resolved quickly.

“They should get him out of this turmoil,” he said. “He’ll never be a well-adjusted person.

“Whatever they do, they need to do it quickly. I think it’s really been blown out of proportion.”