Is this considered a job?

[mike42979 57]

If i the petitioner were to work a function selling food from a tent and my Fiancee wanted to help me serve say hotdogs prior to EAD is this allowed if i do not pay her? Shes gonna be sitting there watching me otherwise and doesnt want to stay at home alone!

[skiptex 225]

do you mean to say.. she will be ATTENDING a Function with you?

[Winning23 25]

If i the petitioner were to work a function selling food from a tent and my Fiancee wanted to help me serve say hotdogs prior to EAD is this allowed if i do not pay her? Shes gonna be sitting there watching me otherwise and doesnt want to stay at home alone!

Are you claiming income from selling hot-dogs from that event.? If so, There is no harm in her volunteering to help you or sitting there in the tent. Long is she's not paid, not sure if there are any ramifications. not a lawyer, but just my guess.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

IF you have some insane labor auditor that happens by your booth and questions you , yes you could be in trouble as she is doing things to produce income.

[DouglasFiel 53]

If she is not directly receiving compensation. I would not see anything wrong with it. Helping out with a family business would

be a normal activity for anyone joining the household... I am thinking like "If you were a Farmer" would she technically be working

if she fed the Chickens,, maybe... But, I don't think even the US Government would try to make that claim.

Regards,

[mike42979 57]

Well im not sure what it would be considered because i see other posts where people say you can only volunteer for non profit organizations and we do sell food at events (me and my Family) and it would be nice if she could help us out say grab a soda for the customer out of the ice chest or run to the car for more supplies etc but shell just be helping i will be the one getting paid!

[웃 910]

I think you are taking this way too seriously!

[mike42979 57]

I think you are taking this way too seriously!

Maybe i dont want my future wife banned from this country for something so minor!!!

[Helen Louise Pile 80]

Maybe i dont want my future wife banned from this country for something so minor!!!

Exactly! I think you are being smart!

I volunteered full time while I awaited my greencard. In the local school district and for the local public radio station and for a non-profit.

Just to be extra cautious, I always provided written explanation of my ineligibility to work (in an email),to cover myself if there was ever any question. You could make fun of it and have her wear a 'volunteer' badge or something. I'm sure it will be just fine, as long as she doesn't receive any money.

Have fun!

[Richard-Y-Abigail 18]

I made an infopass appointment to ask this very same question. It was explained to me that the government is talking about working for a bonafide company, one that takes taxes, and is licensed. You get the idea. There are many ways for an intending immigrant to contribute without breaking the law. We were told that my wife can work with me, in any family business. We were also told that she can volunteer for companies that reward their volunteers with a gratuity. Naturally, any income must be reported. Just before the end of the infopass appointment, the man told me to stop sweating the small stuff. Of course, we still do, but I understood what he meant.

[Boiler 45,715]

She can only work in a position that is not paid, say a soup kitchen.

It does not matter whether she directly or indirectly receives compensation.

I would have thought from a practical perspective the risk of been caught is minuscule.

Illegal work is usual forgiven anyway when adjusting through marriage to a USC, the Employer is the one who bears most of the risk.

Edited October 16, 2011 by Boiler

[NY_BX 397]

I think you are taking this way too seriously!

Just letting you know that I love your graphs.

[Tim/Mav 305]

I made an infopass appointment to ask this very same question. It was explained to me that the government is talking about working for a bonafide company, one that takes taxes, and is licensed. You get the idea. There are many ways for an intending immigrant to contribute without breaking the law. We were told that my wife can work with me, in any family business. We were also told that she can volunteer for companies that reward their volunteers with a gratuity. Naturally, any income must be reported. Just before the end of the infopass appointment, the man told me to stop sweating the small stuff. Of course, we still do, but I understood what he meant.

Hey Mike, read lots of different opinions on your question. Some say: don' t take the chance and others say its OK. Well, look at this above post and what is wrong with it? I'm not saying USCIS will get this picky but what if they go by the Law.

These are facts: Even a non-profit agency may require a background check which requires documentation that this person working for free is qualified. In your case MAYBE A FOOD HANDLERS CARD. Serving the Public FOODS requires a License and anyone serving foods as well. Trying to say she might serve a Soda on a table to a patron is not an exception because a POSIBLE More than Likely would result in a TIP or as a Gratuity and is taxable. Since she has no SSN then you would be pocketing the money off her charm and in your pocket. See something wrong here?

Think, waitresses are paid minium wage and tips are extra and taxable. If a waitress reports minium wage on her taxes without tips thats a red flag. The US adds estimated tips and taxes them.

A pretty Woman as Kristen waiting on a table will get tips and you will find yourself putting the money in your pocket and act like you earned it. Draw your conclusion to that because it will happen.

Even though I question my own thought here. I belive she can help you with your business as long as she never recieves compensation but I still think I'm wrong. She needs to be authorized to work. I warn you Mike, beware of loopholes about the laws.

ALL IT TAKES IS ONE PERSON TO TAKE A PICTURE AND TURN YOU IN. So be careful.

Congrats Mike. Don't blow this!

[at long last 58]

If i the petitioner were to work a function selling food from a tent and my Fiancee wanted to help me serve say hotdogs prior to EAD is this allowed if i do not pay her? Shes gonna be sitting there watching me otherwise and doesnt want to stay at home alone!

dictionary definition of volunteer.

volunteer |ˌvälənˈtir|

noun

a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.

• a person who works for an organization without being paid.

she is helping you, that's all. She is not being paid and therefore has no income to report. Volunteering is an admirable thing to do.

Just my take on the whole thing...

[Tim/Mav 305]

dictionary definition of volunteer.

volunteer |ˌvälənˈtir|

noun

a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.

• a person who works for an organization without being paid.

she is helping you, that's all. She is not being paid and therefore has no income to report. Volunteering is an admirable thing to do.

Just my take on the whole thing...

This is what I mean Mike. Beware of False statements (phophets) this does not apply to your situation and kristines. I will never tell you what to do but I will tell you what I think! and do what you find is the best resolve. The Qoate above is designed for a USC and not an Immigrant going through the early process. therefore, bad advice related to your case for right now.