Ex-Argentine Official May Be Deported, INS Says

Former Argentine Gen. Carlos Guillermo Suarez Mason, accused of kidnaping and murdering dissidents during the military’s rule of that country, was living in the United States on an apparently expired visa and could be deported even if he wins his extradition fight, immigration authorities said Wednesday.

Suarez Mason’s lawyer, John Phillipsborn, said he is planning to fight both actions.

Suarez Mason, 63, was arrested at his home in suburban Foster City on Saturday at Argentina’s request. A fugitive since 1984, when a civilian government took control of the country, Suarez Mason is said to be the highest-ranking junta leader still untried in connection with the disappearance of thousands of political activists during the military rule that lasted from 1976 through late 1983.

The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service became involved after learning that Suarez Mason’s visa had expired on July 31, 1986. He and his wife entered the United States in January or February of 1986 on six-month visitors’ visas, INS officials said.

May Have Extended Visa

Family members said that Suarez Mason applied for a six-month extension of the visa. But if an extension had been granted, it would expire at the end of this month or early in February, leaving Suarez Mason without proper documentation to remain here, said David Still of the INS office here.

On Wednesday, federal authorities here, acting on behalf of Argentina, filed more detailed allegations against Suarez Mason, accusing him of robbery and of kidnaping and torture resulting in murder.

The torture charges stem from his role as commandant of the military region of Buenos Aires Province from 1976 to 1978, when hundreds of people disappeared in the junta’s campaign against suspected subversives.