I don't feel sorry for this poor schmuck

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/27/immigrant.money/index.html

FTA: "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.......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."

So, you worked here, illegally mind you, for 11 years, saved up $59,000 of non-taxed, and debatably illegal, earnings and upon trying to leave the country, after mooching off of our economy, you get caught and are upset that you can't have your money back.

orly Mr. Zapeta. Are you that dense? Well, he probably is more ignorant than dense, but who's counting. Why are you complaining now? "Oh no, I got caught robbing a bank, and now I'm in prison!"

And if you take his side, fuck you. He is a criminal.

The blame doesn't rest solely on the said guy's shoulders: why the eff did the employers get away with this? Why isn't there such a stiff fine/penalty for the practice of hiring illegal immigrants that the 'demand' goes down for the illegals 'supplying' it. It's just backwards supply/demand economics.

On a more heart-felt note, it does suck for him that he lost his last 11 years of earnings without the chance to get it back (ftmp). It would be hard to deal with that, but you kind of need to know how the laws work where you choose to live for 11 years. Nothing is free, period, or the dish-washing companies would have a volunteer status.

JotS