Nurse who saved for Africa clinic left in limbo after US Customs seized $41,377

[Judi Lynn]

A Texas nurse sued US Customs for seizing her money at the airport and then demanding that she waive rights to get it back

Tom Dart in Katy, Texas
@Tom_Dart
Thu 24 May 2018 04.00 EDT

Anthonia Nwaorie was only a few metres from boarding a plane when customs agents stopped her and started asking questions.

How many people are you carrying money for? How long have you been in the United States? How many people are travelling with you?

“I said, ‘I’m travelling alone’,” she recalled. “Whatever money that I have is my money.” Nwaorie soon discovered that the reality was not so simple.

The 59-year-old nurse was travelling to Nigeria via Frankfurt, bringing medical supplies and $41,377 in cash – most of which she had saved up for years herself. She was planning to start a medical clinic for women and children in a village in Imo state, where she grew up before moving to the US in 1982 and becoming an American citizen 12 years later.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/24/us-customs-money-seize-texas-nurse-anthonia-nwaorie-lawsuit

[lapfog_1]

1. never carry substantial amounts of cash through customs or airports

start a bank account with a European bank that has a branch in Nigeria.

Transfer the funds electronically over time (in amounts less than $5000 and in odd amounts).

Fly to Nigeria and get your money.

[jberryhill]

2. That's extremely bad advice

Why are you suggesting the $5k cap?

It is fine to carry more than $10,000 into or out of the country, provided that you declare it.