Thread: CNN.com: 'Mistake' Costs Illegal Immigrant $59,000

CNN.com: 'Mistake' Costs Illegal Immigrant $59,000

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jason-asli ... ant-59-000
By Jason Aslinger | September 27, 2007 - 22:04 ET

The CNN.com article "Mistake Costs Dishwasher $59,000" details the trials and tribulations of Pedro Zapeta, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala. The article explains that:

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.

So an illegal immigrant (who, by the way, doesn't speak English) tries to leave the country on an airplane with $59,000 cash stuffed in a duffel bag. How could this plan go wrong?

The article goes on to paint Zapeta in the most sympathetic light possible, pointing out that Zapeta, "lived his version of the American dream in Stuart, Florida: washing dishes and living frugally to bring money back to his home country." The article claimed that Zapeta had worked in this country for 11 years.

But as Zapeta was leaving the country, a customs official discovered the cash.

Zapeta ... 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.

Customs officials seized the money, and the remainder of the article details Zapeta's legal struggle to recover his money (not to mention stay in the country). Although he "admits he never paid taxes," the article cites Zapeta's statement that "[t]hey are treating me like a criminal when all I am is a working man." Zapeta later states, "I am desperate. I no longer feel good about this country." CNN.com predictably does not point out the irony that Zapeta actually is a criminal - and wasn't supposed to be in this country in the first place.

For good measure, a sympathetic immigration attorney bemoans: "When you are poor, uneducated and illegal, your avenues are cut."

CNN.com identifies Zapeta's "mistake" as being his failure to fill out the proper customs form. The sentiment of the article was that if Zapeta had only filled out the proper one-page form, he would be home free with his $59,000.

At the outset, it is implausible to consider (as the article implies) that customs officials would have approved an illegal alien's request to exit the country with $59,000 cash in a duffel bag.

But setting that aside, it is an insult to all law-abiding Americans to frame Zapeta's "mistake" as being his failure to successfully flee the country with his ill-gotten, untaxed cash. Zapeta's "mistake" was entering this country illegally in the first place. Zapeta compounded his error by failing to pay income taxes - which over 11 years would likely comprise a significant portion of the $59,000. Wouldn't we all like to keep 100% of our earnings for the next 11 years?

The article further does not reference the "mistake" made by Zapeta's employer, who presumably paid Zapeta under-the-table and gained a competitive advantage over other businesses who played by the rules. The article also completely ignores the point that aggressive prosecutions of these cases act as a deterrent to others who would seek to illegally enter this country.

But these issues don't stand in the way of CNN.com's weeping sympathy for the poor, uneducated, frugal dishwasher from Guatemala who made the "mistake" of getting caught.

—Jason Aslinger is a private practice attorney in Greenville, Ohio.

THERE IS NO WAY THIS GUY SAVED THAT MONEY ON THE MONEY HE CLAIMS TO HAVE BEEN MAKING. I WONDER WHICH WELFARE BENEFITS HE WAS RECEIVING IN OTHER NAMES. I QUESTION WHETHER HE EVEN SAVED THE MONEY AT ALL.

Sob story alert.

hahaha... I feel for this guy if he did earn that money dishwashing only to be held up by the biggest crooks in this country... THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ..... that'l learn ya if you think there are good people in the Federal government looking out for your welfare..... HAHAHAHAHA, we the people already know they are corrupt...

related sob story
http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... ght=zapeta

There is irony in an illegal immigrant crying foul over the U.S. taking money from him. How could an estimate be computed of how much his presence has cost U.S. taxpayers for 11 years? Has he been paying income tax on his earnings? Did he pay FICA? Has he received free medical treatment? Or education? Has he been jailed? Received food stamps or other public assistance? The list goes on.

He lived here 11 yrs and never learned English and didn't pay taxes!
Not good publicity for the OBL's.

Do they know for a fact that is story is accurate? If so, why hasn't his employer been busted for paying him under the table? Maybe his a drug dealer who just thought he would take the fastest transportation possible home.

Originally Posted by MW

Do they know for a fact that is story is accurate? If so, why hasn't his employer been busted for paying him under the table? Maybe his a drug dealer who just thought he would take the fastest transportation possible home.

That is what first came to ,y mind- he was a drug dealer or drug runner.