Sep 28, 2007 04:19PM GMT
Question
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Politics - United States
Should this dishwasher get his $59,000 back?
For 11 years, Pedro Zapeta, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, lived his version of the American dream in Stuart, Florida: washing dishes and living frugally to bring money back to his home country.Two years ago, Zapeta was ready to return to Guatemala, so he carried a duffel bag filled with $59,000 -- all the cash he had scrimped and saved over the years -- to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
But when Zapeta tried to go through airport security, an officer spotted the money in the bag and called U.S. customs officials.
"They asked me how much money I had," Zapeta recalled, speaking to CNN in Spanish.
He told the customs officials $59,000. At that point, U.S. customs seized his money, setting off a two-year struggle for Zapeta to get it back.
Zapeta, who speaks no English, said he didn't know he was running afoul of U.S. law by failing to declare he was carrying more than $10,000 with him. Anyone entering or leaving the country with more than $10,000 has to fill out a one-page form declaring the money to U.S. customs.
Officials initially accused Zapeta of being a courier for the drug trade, but they dropped the allegation once he produced pay stubs from restaurants where he had worked. Zapeta earned $5.50 an hour at most of the places where he washed dishes. When he learned to do more, he got a 25-cent raise.
After customs officials seized the money, they turned Zapeta over to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The INS released him but began deportation proceedings. For two years, Zapeta has had two attorneys working pro bono: one on his immigration case, the other trying to get his money back.
"They are treating me like a criminal when all I am is a working man," he said.
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Answered This is what I think...
The part that bothers me is his statement:
"They are treating me like a criminal when all I am is a working man"
Mr. Zapeta is incorrect. He is in this country illegally. Therefore he IS a criminal. He has no right to complain about the laws of a country that he does not even have enough respect for to enter legally. I think they should calculate the cost to the United States of throwing this person in jail, having the legal system deal with him, and of getting him out of this country. If after all of that there is any money left, then let him have it. If not, too bad. Next time don't break the law. -
Answered No. This is what he gets for not paying taxes and not declaring his money when leaving. If you don't follow the rules, you get screwed over!
Do drug dealers get money back when they are busted.No and they are legal citizens.Ship his ass back to his country and keep the money here. -
Thats whats wrong with this damn country.The illegal immigrants have the same rights as the rest of us and they don't belong here.Do you think if you went to his country and tried that shit you would be coming home with anything if at all?Thats why they keep coming here.They have no reason to fears us.If i was them i would do the same thing.
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The guy was illegal.He should have been making $0.00/hr..His ass should be sitting in a cell waiting for deportation.Give him a break my ass.What about the guy sleeping on the street who would have worked for that amount?The guy raising two kids on his own would have taken that pay.He should have no rights to anything in this country except the raft he floated in on.
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Answered Yes. He worked very hard for that money. They should just take what taxes he owes and give him the rest. Even if he's not a US citizen, a man is entitled to what he has earned.
He should get his money back, he worked hard for it. That's not rite !!!!! -
Answered This is what I think...
He worked his ass off and saved every peney. Lets be a Nation that rewards that kind of behavior. Let him keep his money and send his ass home - He is a criminal. He broke the law coming here.
Maybe exchange it dollar for peso...Id be ok with that because it's hilarious
Or tell him that if he ever makes it back here as a legal citizen he can have his cash back. -
All the things this illegal immigrant did wrong.
1. Entered the country illegaly
2. Lived in this country illegaly
3. Worked in this country illegaly
4. Attempted to transport an illegally earned and unclaimed sum of money across international borders
5. Tax evasion.
So anyone that says he did nothing wrong obviously doesn't know the facts because there they are right there -
Answered This is what I think...
If he paid his taxes and complied with the law, he should get his money back with an apology from law enforcement.If he is in the US illegally, he should pay a fine before leaving and be denied entry if he should return.