Volunteering while on a k1

[JohnR! 5,495]

Yeah in my local(s) firefighter stations they don't receive a tax break until after the 3rd year and the whole station is volunteer except for the head chief so I wouldn't be receiving benefits ?

I will call uscis later (hopefully I'll get through to someone who knows) and I will tell you's what they say

Volunteers don't get any benefits, therefore you can do it while you wait for your AOS. There aren't many other things you could do that would be more honorable.

[Boiler 45,673]

Volunteers don't get any benefits, therefore you can do it while you wait for your AOS. There aren't many other things you could do that would be more honorable.

They do in Colorado.

[JohnR! 5,495]

They do in Colorado.

Because they are salaried employees, not volunteers in the true sense of the word.

[Boiler 45,673]

I looked it up, only 2 paid staff, the rest are volunteers with benefits.

[JohnR! 5,495]

I looked it up, only 2 paid staff, the rest are volunteers with benefits.

Which benefits they receive? Can you cite the Bill you're looking at?

Edited August 22, 2014 by JohnR!

[Boiler 45,673]

The biggest one is free gas, seems for the whole family, caused a bit of a stink locally.

[JohnR! 5,495]

The biggest one is free gas, seems for the whole family, caused a bit of a stink locally.

That makes sense, but free gas it not really considered a benefit in terms of immigration, anymore than providing the volunteers with meals or drinks is.

[Boiler 45,673]

Volunteering where you receive no recompense not would anybody else, soup kitchen being the classic example, not an issue.

Free gas and whatever else they get is very different.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Volunteering where you receive no recompense not would anybody else, soup kitchen being the classic example, not an issue.

Free gas and whatever else they get is very different.

You only mentioned one isolated example where free gas was offered.

If by 'whatever else' you mean a salary, then you're correct, else completely off the mark. Consider checking the bills enacted by the senate of your state where these definitions are memorialized.

[Boiler 45,673]

There are 3 volunteer Fire Departments in the immediate area, they all seem to produce a lot of stories in the local rag and general talk.

[JohnR! 5,495]

There are 3 volunteer Fire Departments in the immediate area, they all seem to produce a lot of stories in the local rag and general talk.

As they should. It takes a lot of courage to be a firefighter, and especially after 9/11 they are regarded, rightfully so, as the heroes they truly are.

There are countless FD's in the city of New York alone.

[Boiler 45,673]

More down to Financial Irregularities.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yeah in my local(s) firefighter stations they don't receive a tax break until after the 3rd year and the whole station is volunteer except for the head chief so I wouldn't be receiving benefits ?

I will call uscis later (hopefully I'll get through to someone who knows) and I will tell you's what they say

USCIS aren't going to know. If you get no compensation, then go ahead. Illegal work is irrelevant for spouses of USCs anyway (and "forgiven" upon AOS). I am not encouraging illegal behavior, but if you do your due diligence and as far as you can tell it is not paid, and then suddenly you get a gift basket, it's not a reason to worry. Good luck.

[kehills 217]

DOL allows volunteer firefighters to be paid up to 20% of the compensation of a full-time firefighter. DOL also allows volunteer firefighters to receive worker's comp; health, life, and disability insurance, tax relief, etc. They can also receive reimbursements for gas, uniforms, dry cleaning, per shift, and for staying in the station house a set period of hours.

Source?

Department of Labor. Funny that.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/opinion/FLSANA/2007/2007_09_17_03NA_FLSA.htm

OP: seems like if you can make sure you're not receiving any benefits, at all, you can volunteer. But I'd definitely talk it over with the fire company, first.