Deporting a Monk Over Emplyment Violations: What is Work?

Filed in archive Americas on June 30, 2009

The Wall Street Journal recently too a look at an interesting U.S. immigration case that begs the question of what constitute work (or at least employment).

Monk Phra Bunphithak Jomthong entered the U.S. four years ago on a religious visa and has since devoted himself to serving a burgeoning Buddhist community in Southern California. Barefoot and clad in a saffron robe, Mr. Jomthong recently gave what amounts to the most accurate job description he has: "to share Buddhist practices and to promote peace and harmony among people."

In short, his religious visa lapsed briefly, but he kept "sharing" anyway. Now the INS wants to deport him for 'working" without a visa. But his lawyers say he took a vow of poverty and receives no salary for what he does.

It will be interesting to see how the story develops...