Fred Clark lays it out pretty clearly:

Here’s the deal: Whatever the technical details of the case, whatever the particulars of the applicable immigration and customs laws, if you confiscate the entire life savings of a minimum-wage dishwasher, you’re doing something wrong.

And you’re an asshole.

I can’t help you. No one can help you. There is no escape clause, no excuse, no qualification, no mitigation. You have chosen this and it is done. You’re just an asshole.

Solid.