731.00/10–2854
Memorandum by Bainbridge C. Davis of the Office of South American Affairs to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Woodward)
Subject:
- Action on Betancourt Case.
The attached summary1 of Betancourt’s visa status explains the background for the unpleasant alternatives with which we are confronted. Betancourt’s time for remaining in the U.S. expired on October 24. He apparently believed that we were willing, without further action on his part, to extend his permission to stay until we had acted on his communist defector application.2 The facts are, however, that he could have remained only if Immigration Service had extended his [Page 1673] stay, upon his application prior to October 24 and with State Department approval; and that he cannot obtain the defector status which he has applied for without making a further trip to a U.S. Consulate.
Since Mr. Holland decided that Betancourt’s stay in the U.S. should not be extended and that a communist defector visa should not be granted him as this time, we have the following alternatives:
- (a)
- Take no action, and unless Betancourt leaves voluntarily, Immigration Service will institute deportation proceedings. This will undoubtedly arouse strong resentment in view of his understanding of our position and he will appeal to the State Department.
- (b)
- Inform Betancourt (through Governor Muñoz, Mr. Mann, Mr. Stewart, or by direct communication) that he misunderstood our procedures; that his legal stay has expired; that we are not now able to extend it and are not prepared to permit his reentry at this time; and that he should depart promptly in order to avoid deportation. If presented orally in a tactful and friendly manner, this should not create as lasting a spirit of resentment and hostility on his part or on that of various liberal elements in this country and abroad.