R-1 Nonimmigrant Religious Workers
DARK SIDE:
R VISA & SCAMs – Telugu Version – YouTube
R VISA & SCAMs – English Version – YouTube
https://x.com/KumarExclusive/status/1709153357829411169?s=20
R Visa scams.
https://x.com/RodneyR58127664/status/1709099197339754891?s=20
https://x.com/RaviVattem/status/1708777549449544090?s=20
#India becomes Anti Islam and Anti Christian country due to hindutva politics and Indians remain calm. Hindus living abroad in USA and UAE should condemn it but instead supporting it. That's even more painful.
— Kumar Exclusive (@KumarExclusive) August 11, 2023
DARK SIDE:
https://x.com/KumarExclusive/status/1709153357829411169?s=20
#telugu video: R1 వీసా, EB4లో గ్రీన్ కార్డ్లను ఎందుకు పొందరు? || Kumar Exclusive
#telugu video: హిందూ పూజారులు & R1 వీసా కార్మికుల ప్రయోజనం కోసం & గ్రీన్ కార్డ్ ఎలా పొందాలి
https://kumarexclusive.com/2023/08/11/rvisa/
#telugu video: హిందూ పూజారులు ప్రయోజనం కోసం & గ్రీన్ కార్డ్ ఎలా పొందాలి R1 to GC || Kumar Exclusive
https://youtu.be/HXyJkw77xaM
https://www.uscis.gov/i-360
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/religious-workers-going-from-r-1-visa-green-card.html
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/r-1-nonimmigrant-religious-workers
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-fourth-preference-eb-4
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-fourth-preference-eb-4/special-immigrant-religious-workers
Fact Check: Volunteering in Religious Places in the USA – Is It a Scam?
Volunteering in religious institutions like temples, churches, mosques, and synagogues is common in the USA, and generally, it is not considered a scam. However, there are grey areas where some religious organizations may exploit volunteers under the guise of service while bypassing labor laws. Here’s a balanced analysis:
Legitimate Volunteering in Religious Institutions
✅ Religious Freedom Protection: Religious organizations are protected under the First Amendment, allowing them to involve volunteers in spiritual or community activities without the same employment regulations that apply to businesses.
✅ Community Support: Volunteers often serve willingly as an act of faith, contributing time and effort for causes like feeding the homeless, organizing events, or maintaining the premises.
✅ Non-Profit Status: Most religious institutions are registered as non-profits, meaning their financial structure is different from commercial businesses.
Potential Exploitation or Grey Areas
❗ Labor Law Evasion: Some religious organizations may misuse the “volunteer” label to avoid hiring paid staff for roles that should legally qualify as employment (e.g., cleaning, kitchen duties, or administrative roles).
❗ Pressure in the Name of Faith: In some cases, devotees may feel obligated to volunteer excessively due to social pressure or religious influence.
❗ Cash Handling or Misuse: Volunteers might be used to manage financial transactions, raising concerns about accountability and transparency.
❗ Avoiding Legal Liabilities: Since volunteers are not technically “employees,” these institutions may bypass wage laws, workers’ compensation, or other employee protections.
Legal Perspective in the USA
🔹 Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), true volunteers are not entitled to wages. However, if the tasks are identical to those typically performed by paid staff, it could violate labor laws.
🔹 Non-profit vs. For-profit distinction matters — religious groups using volunteers for profit-driven activities (e.g., paid event management) may face legal scrutiny.
Examples of Known Issues
- Some Hindu temples in the USA have faced criticism for allegedly forcing devotees to volunteer in kitchen services, cleaning, or fundraising efforts without compensation.
- Allegations have emerged that certain religious leaders pressure immigrants (like F-1 students or visitors) to volunteer extensively under social or religious influence.
Conclusion:
While most religious institutions genuinely rely on volunteers for spiritual or charitable work, misuse of unpaid labor under religious pressure or to evade labor laws is unethical and potentially illegal. Devotees should understand their rights and recognize when volunteer work crosses the line into exploitative behavior.