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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.
He's illegal, then that money he made is illegally gotten as well. I am sure he didn't pay one cent towards Social Security, or Federal INCOME TAX.. Not to mention, do they have a State Income Tax where he was living?
His version of the 'American Dream'?? Do they know what the American Dream is? Apparently NOT. The American Dream is NOT illegally entering the United States, taking a US Citizens job, Tax Evasion, and then trying to skate back to the country you came from with money.
$59,000 over 11 years. That's about $5363 a year he was putting away on a dishwashing salary. They don't pay dishwashers much. I'd say the chances are good he was either on some sort of government assistance, or he supplemented his income with some sort of criminal behavior.
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