[CharlesWayneCT]

I oppose the law that seizes a person's property without a criminal charge. I'm allowed to oppose laws, and to argue for their repeal, which is what I am doing here.

I don't think I've actually said that we have to give the guy's money back. I would, but I'm arguing about the law.

A person who steals a loaf of bread to feed his family is still a thief, but of a different character. And in that case a person causing real harm.

Suppose you were stranded on a mountain in a blizzard, and you came upon a cabin. Would you break in, or would you stay outside and die because breaking and entering is a crime? If you did break in, would you not eat the food in the cabin?

Would that mean you are a person of bad character? This man saw no harm in what he did. He didn't hurt anybody coming here. He broke no laws of harm to anybody while he was here. He didn't force someone out of a job, or make people pay him. He lived under the radar, probably obeying every law he could obey as an illegal immigrant. When he had earned the money he needed, he was leaving. He was afraid of getting arrested, so he didn't say he had $59,000. IF he had had $10,000, there'd be no problem. much to the horror of people posting here, apparently, who think giving him the $10,000 was a sin.

But because he didn't write "59,000" on a form, we just took $49,000 from him administratively.

And yes, I do find that excessive, and I don't care that he was an illegal, SIMPLY being here illegally does not to me rise to the level of a crime I want to make him pay $49,000 for.

[Publius6961]

If you did break in, would you not eat the food in the cabin?

Would that mean you are a person of bad character? This man saw no harm in what he did.

It's impossible not to view this as sophistry.
If I broke into a cabin and ate someone's food, I would not claim ignorance, and refuse to pay for the food and the structural damage once I returned to my normal life.

Apples and oranges...

[Just sayin]

and I don't care that he was an illegal

That is easy to see. How conservative and American of you. Have at it man.

[Checkers]

"Suppose you were stranded on a mountain in a blizzard, and you came upon a cabin. Would you break in, or would you stay outside and die because breaking and entering is a crime? If you did break in, would you not eat the food in the cabin?

Would that mean you are a person of bad character?"

If I lived in someone else's cabin for 11 years, damn straight!