GENE RANDALL, CNN ANCHOR: The deadline for a Cuban diplomat to leave the United States is just half an hour away, but it seems a moot point. Jose Imperatori says he has no intention of leaving, and his lawyer says the man has began on a hunger strike. Imperatori, who works in the Cuban interest section under the Swiss embassy here in Washington, says he has done nothing wrong. The State Department has tied him to a high-ranking U.S. Immigration official in Miami accused of spying for Havana. We expect a news conference at the Cuban interest section shortly. When it happens, we'll go there live. But for reaction to all of this, we go the White House and Kelly Wallace -- Kelly.</s>KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Gene, U.S. officials say it is unprecedented for a diplomat to ignore an expulsion order. And a State Department woman would only say that at 1:30 this afternoon Jose Imperatori diplomatic status, he will no longer have that, and then -- quote -- "the appropriate action will be taken." Now Imperatori has already resigned from the his post at the Cuban interest section here in Washington. So at this hour, he no longer has diplomatic privileges and immunities. Now basically, the State Department is not detailing what steps the U.S. government might take. However, sources say two possibilities could include, number one, the fact that he no longer has legal status to be in this country, U.S. officials could take steps to deport him. Another possibility is the FBI could look into whether there is enough evidence to charge him with espionage. Imperatori is believed to have ties to Mariano Faget, the INS supervisor in Miami who has been charged with spying for the Cuban government. Now, Imperatori plans to remain at his Bethesda apartment, and this changes things dramatically for U.S. officials, because he could have sought refuge at the Cuban interest section here in Washington. Had he done that, U.S. officials would not have been able to enter the building to either deport him or arrest him unless they were invited in by the Cuban government -- Gene.
Deadline for Cuban Diplomat to Leave U.S. Just Half-Hour Away