US government takes $60,000 from immigrant? - Page 3

The reason why they took it was because it was over 10 grand.Any amount of money on a person that is not declared in advance that exceeds 10 grand can be seized by ICE whether leaving or coming into the United States which is why they seized it.

at HOPEFULDREAMER and J6's comments.

Here's what immigration lawyer Greg Siskind has to say about the Pedro matter:

How was his income too low? If he had 60,000 after 11 years that would mean that he must've made almost $5500 in profit every year. Are you gonna tell me that he lived on $100 a year? He must've spent money on food and housing right? This would put him in a low tax bracket. Tax non-payment fines would amount to more than 60,000 at this point.

I'm no lawyer but taxes aren't anything new to me and I've paid a lot of taxes on income as low as $7000 so this guy must've been cheating at something.

Greg Siskind is a lawyer. You can trust his word.

Ok, CIR_DREAM. What's your point?

The guy should have A) at least attempted to file some kind of tax return form, or B) find a different way to transport the money [i.e. money order of some kind, etc.].

As for the US not giving him his money back, well, that's kind of shitty all in of itself. I say tax the guy and then let him move on with his life.

I really don't see the big deal and why you were so shocked. Sorry, I generally don't feel bad for people when they do something so obviously wrong. I understand that the guy went through a lot of crap to save that money but, especially with that big sum, he shouldn't have thought that he was going to get away scot-free without encountering some problems. I mean, for Heaven's sake, it was almost $60,000! Don't tell me the US was wrong to take that money [even though I do think it should be given back now that they know he's not a terrorist] in the first place. If that guy really valued his money, he would've found a proper way to have it sent to his mother.

Exactly, he should get $60,000 minus taxes for his income bracket for eleven years minus non-payment of taxes penalties minus tax evasion fines. I think that's far into the negative territory at that point. $60,000 is probably what I would've saved had I not been paying taxes for 11 years. If he gets his money back I want my money back.

I'm sorry but that has to be one of the most naive statements I've ever read.

Johnny Cochran was also a lawyer. If he were still alive, I wouldn't trust him at all.

Lawyers are not always trustworthy people. They can manipulate the truth just like the rest of us.

[quote]="HOPEFULDREAMER"]Ok, CIR_DREAM. What's your point?

The guy should have A) at least attempted to file some kind of tax return form, or B) find a different way to transport the money [i.e. money order of some kind, etc.].

As for the US not giving him his money back, well, that's kind of shitty all in of itself. I say tax the guy and then let him move on with his life.

I really don't see the big deal and why you were so shocked. Sorry, I generally don't feel bad for people when they do something so obviously wrong. I understand that the guy went through a lot of crap to save that money but, especially with that big sum, he shouldn't have thought that he was going to get away scot-free without encountering some problems. I mean, for Heaven's sake, it was almost $60,000! Don't tell me the US was wrong to take that money [even though I do think it should be given back now that they know he's not a terrorist] in the first place. If that guy really valued his money, he would've found a proper way to have it sent to his mother.[/quote]

Not every illegal is educated and understand these things like some of us do. Last time i saw him on t.v he didn't even speak english so i understand if he didn't know he could get in trouble for leaving the u.s with that huge sum of money. He washed dishes and worked in restaurants for 11 years i doubt he had anyone knowledgeable advising him. What may be obvious to us may not have been obvious to him.

Ditto. It's not fair for some people to not even attempt to pay taxes and still be able to go home with all the money they saved yet the same treatment isn't afforded to others.


My dad took care of a family of 5 on a $15-17,000 yearly income when we first got here. He still filed his tax report. Don't tell me it isn't possible.

Marry me now.