Mistake costs dishwasher $59,000 Options

[schwab]

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- 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.

Zapeta's story became public last year on CNN and in The Palm Beach Post newspaper, prompting well-wishers to give him nearly $10,000 -- money that now sits in a trust.

Robert Gershman, one of Zapeta's attorneys, said federal prosecutors later offered his client a deal: He could take $10,000 of the original cash seized, plus $9,000 in donations as long as he didn't talk publicly and left the country immediately.

Zapeta said, "No." He wanted all his money. He'd earned it, he said.

Now, according to Gershman, the Internal Revenue Service wants access to the donated cash to cover taxes on the donations and on the money Zapeta made as a dishwasher. Zapeta admits he never paid taxes.

CNN contacted the U.S. Attorneys office in Miami, U.S. Customs and the IRS about Zapeta's case. They all declined to comment.

Marisol Zequeira, an immigration lawyer, said illegal immigrants such as Zapeta have few options when dealing with the U.S. government.

"When you are poor, uneducated and illegal, your avenues are cut," he said.

On Wednesday, Zapeta went to immigration court and got more bad news. The judge gave the dishwasher until the end of January to leave the country on his own. He's unlikely to see a penny of his money.

"I am desperate," Zapeta said. "I no longer feel good about this country."

Zapeta said his goal in coming to the United States was to make enough money to buy land in his mountain village and build a home for his mother and sisters. He sent no money back to Guatemala over the years, he said, and planned to bring it all home at once.

At Wednesday's hearing, Zapeta was given official status in the United States -- voluntary departure -- and a signed order from a judge. For the first time, he can work legally in the U.S.

By the end of January, Zapeta may be able to earn enough money to pay for a one-way ticket home so the U.S. government, which seized his $59,000, doesn't have to do so.

ok at first i felt bad for this guy....but then i started thinking about it and realized that he is illegal and he never did pay taxes so fuck him...complaining about hes not a criminal...yes you fucking are, you worked illegally, didnt pay taxes, and whatever else you did here and you are bitching?

[Testm0nkey]

what they dont say is the money hes put into the american economy. hes had to pay some form of rent, clothing, food for the past 11 years. in addition to his work contributing to the business and that goes into the overall economy.

he did what he had to do in order to help his family. if the situations were reversed (mexico had american power and america was the corrupt shithole that is mexico) americans would do the same thing mexicans are doing.

america has plenty of opportunity and money (once we stop spending a billion a week in the middle east) to assist people and our neighboring countries that need aid

[FORSAKENR320]

america has plenty of opportunity and money (once we stop spending a billion a week in the middle east) to assist people and our neighboring countries that need aid

fuck you and fuck your "aiding neighboring countries"

i never wanted my money to go to them in the first place. let them starve.

AND WHEN THE FUCK IS AFRICA JUST GONNA DIE OUT FROM AIDS ALREADY?!! I MEAN FUCK!

[Testm0nkey]

fuck you and fuck your "aiding neighboring countries"

i never wanted my money to go to them in the first place. let them starve.

AND WHEN THE FUCK IS AFRICA JUST GONNA DIE OUT FROM AIDS ALREADY?!! I MEAN FUCK!

your post has so much to add to this thread. thanks for contributing you seem really intelligent and really helped to focus this discussion



"why help other countries? why not just focus on the domestic?"
does that ever really work? itd be a tough move to go from being the pseudo police nation of the world to not putting our noses into international business and relations. and instability in foreign countries is bound to affect us at some point (middle east). so we have to do something. as opposed to letting it go till the worlds on the brink of war i think if more economic and social aid is given that can really work towards prevention. but it should be in balance and foreign interests should never exceed domestic issues
i am idealistic though but i consider that to be a more humane and cautious way to be.
if we have the ability to help, we should is what it boils down to for me

its the businesses fault he was able to earn that 59k. he rightfully believed it was his and he could support his family. i dont think its right to take it away from him when it shouldnt have been allowed to happen in the first place.
so the business should have had to pay the taxes not him.