Before becoming armed forces chief, Discua allegedly headed a military unit known as Battalion 316 that was blamed for the killings of dozens of government opponents in Honduras. Mederos, who was last believed to be living in Hialeah, allegedly tortured foes of Fidel Castro with electroshock treatment. Krieger said he believes there are at least 800 suspected human rights violators from all over the world living in the United States.
None is believed to have openly violated immigration laws.
But Krieger is confident he can persuade the INS or a court to open an investigation into whether the three lied in applications for residence. Under INS regulations, if it can be proven that a foreign national seeking residence or citizenship lied about or concealed a criminal past, he or she can be subject to deportation or other sanctions. Krieger said Mederos is a naturalized U.S. citizen. The INS, citing privacy regulations, declined to comment on the men's immigration status. Krieger said he might be in hiding.