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Loading ...This 2-year old story came up on CNN again this morning: In 2005, Pedro Zapeta, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala tried to leave the country with $59,000 in his duffel bag. At that time, U.S. customs seized all of his money.
Pedro, who doesn’t speak English has worked illegally in the US for 11 years, earning about $5.50 per hour, being a dishwasher. The Guatemala native said that he didn’t know that he is supposed to declare any sum larger that $10,000. He did, however acknowledge that he was working illegally and has never paid taxes. “They are treating me like a criminal when all I am is a working man,” he said.
Zapeta had two attorneys working on his problems: one trying to get his money back, and the second one handling his immigration case. Federal prosecutors have offered Pedro to take $10,000 of the original cash seized, plus almost $10,000 of donations. He said “no”.
Last week, Pedro has given official status in the US. He can now work and reside in the country until his deportation in January of 2008. “I no longer feel good about this country.” Zapeta said of the end of his interview.
Tags: zapeta | cnn | illegal immigration
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September 30th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
The guy is here ILLEGALLY. End of story!
September 30th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
I think that it will be fair if he pays his taxes on the money that he has earned, and then leaves the country.
Vote for Pedro!
September 30th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
I don’t understand why our Government is spending all these money to fight Pedro’s case. The 39000 they have seized probably went to pay court expenses. This is nonsense.
September 30th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Good. Maybe this will teach illegal immigrants a lesson! Because of people like Pedro we have to pay more and more taxes. Twenty (20) MILLION illegal immigrants are estimated to work in the US. They are using roads, public transportation, services that we pay for with our labor, with our money. Why should they live here “free of charge”???
September 30th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Just like Heilo said: The guy is here ILLEGALLY. End of story! What is the big noise about? They had this muchacho on CNN like 3 times already. Isn’t there anything else happening in this contry?
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:04 pm
How did he manage to save so much money in 11 years. Maybe he should write a book that way the other illegals can save and then go. What american is going to work for $5.50 an hour and save $59,000.00. Find me a teenager that will work for $5.50 and be a dishwasher. If he earned all that money without any government assistance give him his money and let him go.
October 3rd, 2007 at 3:17 am
Didn’t the founding fathers break the law when they fought against the English? All this talk about immigrants breaking the law is ridiculous. I think that anyone would do whatever it takes to get ahead. Those who don’t are either weak or cowards.
Another thing, most ‘illegal immigrants’ pay taxes and social security. However, they will never get any social security. So in a sense, they are subsidizing many Americans.
October 7th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
mmmkay so really.
just give the oor man his money nd let him go
geeze mann