If you participated in volunteer work and did not receive payment, that is generally acceptable under U.S. law as long as the work was truly voluntary and you were not promised or expected compensation. USCIS and labor authorities differentiate between unpaid volunteer service and unauthorized employment. Volunteer work for a nonprofit, charity, or community organization is usually fine. Make sure you have documentation showing it was voluntary, such as a letter from the organization or a signed volunteer agreement. This helps clarify your situation if ever asked by authorities.

Receiving a volunteer deportation is separate from employment matters, but the key issue is whether you were performing work that should have been paid under labor law. If the organization did not compensate you because it was officially volunteer work, that is generally legal. Keep records confirming your volunteer status and the nature of your duties. If you were mistakenly treated as a volunteer instead of an employee, you may have the right to file a complaint with the Department of Labor, but for immigration purposes, volunteering without pay does not usually count against you.