Is this unauthorized employment?

[sandcastle 1]

Hi,

I volunteered with a non-profit organization for 3 weeks back in 2007 when I was on my H1-B visa. After the project was complete, the place where we worked

decided to give a $3400 award to all those that volunteered. Since I already had a job with my company that sponsored the H1, I turned down the money.

I am now a conditional Permanent resident (through marriage) and recently contacted the company and they said they still have my $3400 and are willing to pay me.

Can I accept this payment? Will be considered illegal/unauthorized employment and cause problems during removal of conditions process (I-751) or naturalization.

$3400 is a lot of money in this economy but not worth it if it causes problems with my immigration process.

Any inputs are much appreciated.

Thanks

[CaptainPenguin 5]

This is kind of a grey area so I really think you should call the 800 number and ask the USCIS. While you absolutely did the right thing before by refusing the payment, you have technically no limits on receiving any income right now whatsoever. However, a lot of times the ways the look at it is not when you received the payment, but when the work was done for which the payment is being received ! Get my point ? If the organization that you volunteered for can give you some sort of paperwork or even just put it on the memo line of the check that it is being given to you as a general reward for good work you should be fine. However if they themselves see it as a reward specifically for something that took place in 2007 you might not be okay. (Unless of course the reward is like a donation from them, then you are once again okay, it all depends on how they file their paperwork)

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

1) It's nonsense from start to the end.

2) It's okay for a H1 to volunteer 3 weeks for a non-profit cause without pay.

3) It's okay to accept an unexpected award.

4) Unauthorized work is forgiven at AOS. All of it!

5) ROC has nothing to do with volunteer work you did Allah knows when.

6) Naturalization has nothing to do with volunteer work either.

7) Since you did not accept a penny to this day, you never lied.

8) If you accept money now, you would declare it on your 2010 tax return.

9) If you don't want the money, give it to me.