NY girl in middle of immigration row returns to US

By FRANK ELTMAN Associated Press

(AP) - A 4-year-old American citizen at the center of an immigration dispute has returned to United States.

Emily Ruiz, who lives in Brentwood, N.Y., had been in Guatemala for months when her grandfather attempted to escort her back to New York. He was detained by immigration officials and eventually was sent back to Guatemala.

Immigration officials claim they told Emily's parents they could pick her up, but the parents claim they were never given that option.

Although Emily is a U.S. citizen, her parents admit they are in the country illegally.

The family's lawyer went to Guatemala this week and retrieved the girl and says he brought her back to New York early Wednesday.