Human Interest Story..........

[DanD]

Like PI don't have enough Human Interest stories 'round here........one more won't hurt

Mistake Costs Dishwasher $59,000
From John Zarrella and Patrick Oppmann,
CNN

MIAMI (Sept. 27) -- For 11 years, Pedro Zapeta, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, lived his version of the American dream in Stuart, Fla.: 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," she 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.

*****

Mistake? Working man? Been here all them years and STILL can't speak English? Didn't know he was breaking the law?

Screw 'em.

CNN? "Con-Job News Network".

Let me write the Headline, and story as it shoulda done been 'rit:

"Illegal Alien Mofo NABBED at Airport

From: A Taxpaying Citizen

An Illegal Immigrant- got caught trying to sneak 59K outta the U.S....money he never paid Federal, State, and/or OTHER related taxes on.

He whined that he was ignorant of the legalities behind his....ILLEGAL activities.

The money will be handed over to INS (less back taxes) to help in the continuing effort to catch Illegal Immigrant's JUST LIKE HIM, and send them packing with NO MONEY to take home to where they came from.

[sctx]

really brings out the best and worst of the US doesn't it???

[roni]

Is this for real? do you feel this way?

Originally Posted by DanD

*****

Mistake? Working man? Been here all them years and STILL can't speak English? Didn't know he was breaking the law?

Screw 'em.

CNN? "Con-Job News Network".

Let me write the Headline, and story as it shoulda done been 'rit:

"Illegal Alien Mofo NABBED at Airport

From: A Taxpaying Citizen

An Illegal Immigrant- got caught trying to sneak 59K outta the U.S....money he never paid Federal, State, and/or OTHER related taxes on.

He whined that he was ignorant of the legalities behind his....ILLEGAL activities.

The money will be handed over to INS (less back taxes) to help in the continuing effort to catch Illegal Immigrant's JUST LIKE HIM, and send them packing with NO MONEY to take home to where they came from.

[ami]

Wow.......I just don't have the words. Being both a taxpayer and the child of immigrants my perspective is a little different. And I know for certain that if I grew up in poverty in Guate, Nica, or Mexico, I'd be doing everything I could to get a better life for myself and my family.

[DavidB]

Give him his money back and go after the places he worked since they have his pay stubs.

[TAPPY]

Originally Posted by DavidB

Give him his money back and go after the places he worked since they have his pay stubs.

I agree.

It really sucks what they did to him !!!

[ami]

Originally Posted by DavidB

Give him his money back and go after the places he worked since they have his pay stubs.

[STOGEY]

Originally Posted by sctx

really brings out the best and worst of the US doesn't it???

Yes it does. This is just like if your boat is searched by the US. Coast Guard. If they basically destroy the boat during the inspection, they don't have to reimburse you for the damage. Even if they don't find any contraband.


But then again I've heard of the Canadian Border guards doing the same thing if they find as much as a aspirine in your vehicle without a perscription.

[ami]

Originally Posted by STOGEY

Yes it does. This is just like if your boat is searched by the US. Coast Guard. If they basically destroy the boat during the inspection, they don't have to reimburse you for the damage. Even if they don't find any contraband.


But then again I've heard of the Canadian Border guards doing the same thing if they find as much as a aspirine in your vehicle without a perscription.

I'm certainly not the expert on maritime law but in my sailing experience I've found the Coast Guard to be more than considerate......they'll board the boat while you're sailing and do whatever they need to do without slowing you down or making you stop, and I've not had a boat ripped apart yet.....I find them nicer than most cops (sorry Craig)

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by DanD

Screw 'em.

CNN? "Con-Job News Network".

Let me write the Headline, and story as it shoulda done been 'rit:

"Illegal Alien Mofo NABBED at Airport

From: A Taxpaying Citizen

An Illegal Immigrant- got caught trying to sneak 59K outta the U.S....money he never paid Federal, State, and/or OTHER related taxes on.

He whined that he was ignorant of the legalities behind his....ILLEGAL activities.

The money will be handed over to INS (less back taxes) to help in the continuing effort to catch Illegal Immigrant's JUST LIKE HIM, and send them packing with NO MONEY to take home to where they came from.

well well well
so many opinions on this board
but when it's all said and done, we just forget about it and have a beer in Playa

until now...
...Dan...I hope when you come down you introduce yourself to me...
...just so i can make sure that i don't mistakenly have a beer with you

[sctx]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

...Dan...I hope when you come down you introduce yourself to me...
...just so i can make sure that i don't mistakenly have a beer with you

I'll be down in May and you can buy me a beer and call me Dan if it makes you feel better.........actually, you can buy Lil G a beer and call her Dan

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by sctx

I'll be down in May and you can buy me a beer and call me Dan if it makes you feel better.........actually, you can buy Lil G a beer and call her Dan

if you or Lil G remind me of Dan
you won't get the beer

but i just can't imagine Lil G reminding me of any Dan

[Jacko]

What a crock a crap...

[ami]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

if you or Lil G remind me of Dan
you won't get the beer

but i just can't imagine Lil G reminding me of any Dan

you crack me up

[Shammy]

Me thinks DanD picked the wrong board to post this on!