MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- An illegal immigrant dishwasher who lost $49,000 to the U.S. government as he tried to take it home to Guatemala will get some of the money back, his attorney said Wednesday. Pedro Zapeta, an illegal immigrant, managed to save $59,000 while working as a dishwasher for 11 years. Pedro Zapeta was "very, very happy" when he learned about a federal appeals court ruling that says he is entitled to recover some of the money, said attorney Robert Gershman, who handled the financial end of Zapeta's case. Zapeta was carrying $59,000 in cash when he was stopped at a security checkpoint at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in 2005. He told authorities he was returning home to Guatemala with the money he had saved working illegally as a dishwasher over 11 years.
@highlight
Pedro Zapeta was stopped in 2005 trying to take $59,000 home to Guatemala
@highlight
Zapeta had paid taxes on the money, didn't know he had to declare it, attorney says
@highlight
He was fined $49,000 and left U.S. under threat of deportation
@highlight
New ruling says judge applied wrong standard and Zapeta should get some back
As Zapeta's case was publicized, U.S. residents donated money to him, and @placeholder set up a trust.