CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The saga of little Elian Gonzalez is shifting, this morning, to America's legal system. With an INS- imposed deadline of January 14th looming, efforts to block the Cuban boy's departure are intensifying. Last night in Miami, several hundred Cuban Americans prayed for Elian to remain in this country at a vigil in front of the house where the six-year-old boy is staying with relatives. Susan Candiotti is following that story for us in Miami -- Susan.</s>SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol. Just a little while ago, Elian Gonzalez left for school. On Sunday, he attended a religious parade in Miami's Little Havana. The parade included a float in his honor. As you take a look at that, we can tell you that this will be another week of legal and political wrangling, as attorneys representing the boy's interests try to head off Friday's immigration deadline that would send the boy back to his father in Cuba. First thing is, early as today, there might be a decision from a family court judge who is deciding on a petition to grant temporary custody to the boy's great uncle here in Miami. That might give attorneys more clout when they go into federal court, this week, to try to get a political asylum hearing. There is a question among legal experts, however, as to whether any state ruling would have -- would be legally binding on the federal decision to send the boy home. There is also a question about the legality of the congressional subpoena that orders the boy to testify before Congress on February the 10th. The question: Can a subpoena legally be served on a minor. So, as this legal and political struggle goes on over what will happen to Elian Gonzalez, his father back in Cuba, who spoke with the boy last night, continues to wonder how immigration intends to carry out its decision to send the boy home to him. Susan Candiotti, CNN, reporting live in Miami.
Efforts to Block Elian Gonzalez's Departure Intensify as Supporters Wait for Family Court Judge's Ruling