Residential status contested for Cuban girl

A 16-year-old girl who arrived in the United States from Cuba aboard a hijacked boat has been given permanent resident status, despite a lawsuit filed by her father, a Communist Party official, seeking her return.

Odaly Valdes arrived in Florida in February 1980 aboard a hijacked fishing boat.She said she wanted to stay in the US and Justice Department attorneys secured permament resident status for her. A federal judge will decide next week if her parents legally can have her returned to Cuba.