"To the American people, first I say thank you for the love they give me," Gonzalez said. "I want the time to give my love to American people."

Gonzalez was found floating off of Florida's coast in 1999, after the boat he was in with his mother capsized. Gonzalez stayed with his uncle in Miami, but the 6-year-old boy soon found himself at the center of a tug of war between Cuba and the United States over whether he should remain in this country or be returned to his father in Cuba.

Today, Gonzalez says he'd like to come back to the United States, but only as a tourist, telling ABC News he'd like to see a baseball game, visit Washington museums and talk to Americans.

"For my family it has always been, we always have the desire to say to the American people, to say to each household our gratitude, appreciation and love that we have," he said. "Perhaps one day we could pay a visit to the United States. I could personally thank those people who helped us, who were there by our side. Because we're so grateful for what they did."