Oct
1
A Guatemalan immigrant who spent the last 11 years working in the US has had his money confiscated by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services after he was stopped in customs trying to return to Guatemala.
Pedro Zapeta, who entered the US illegally, worked as a dishwasher in Stuart, Florida. He earned $5.50 an hour, managing to save $59,000 over the last 11 years.
Two years ago Zapeta decided to return to Guatemala carrying a duffel bag filled with the money he had earned. While going through security at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, US customs officials noticed the bag and asked Zapeta how much money he was carrying. When he told the officials he was carrying $59,000 the officers seized his money, as any person entering or leaving the US must declare to customs if they are carrying more than $10,000.
Zapeta was then turned over to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which began deportation proceedings against him.
Zapeta says, "They are treating me like a criminal when all I am is a working man."
The fight to have Zapeta’s money returned continues, with well wishers donating nearly $10,000 to assist him.
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